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Ichiro Sends Blunt Message to Only Hall of Fame Voter Who Snubbed Him

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Tony Adame | Last updated Jan 24, 2025 2:36 PM ET

Just one day after he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in an almost unanimous vote, Ichiro Suzuki still had jokes.

It was probably to be expected for a player who made a side career out of unexpected quips and who the stories about his interactions with teammates have become legendary.

Speaking with the media on January 23, Ichiro made a joke about the one voter who left him off the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot and denied him a unanimous vote into Cooperstown.

"I would like to invite him over to my house and have a drink together, and we will have a good chat," Ichiro told a group of reporters.

Ichiro's election to the Hall of Fame makes him the first Japanese-born player elected to the Hall of Fame. Ichiro was also the first Japanese position player in MLB history in 2001, when he was named American League MVP as well as American League Rookie of the Year after he set the MLB single-season record with 262 hits.

Ichiro played for the Seattle Mariners from 2001 to 2012 and from 2018 to 2019 sandwiched by 6 seasons split between the New York Yankees and Miami Marlins. He was also a 10-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove Award winner.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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