Hall of Fame inductee Ichiro Suzuki poses with his Hall of Fame plaque after the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Clark Sports Center on July 27. Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Ichiro Suzuki Did a Perfect Impression of Seattle Mariners Broadcaster and Fans Loved It

Originally posted on Seattle Mariners on SI
By Brady Farkas | Last updated Jul 28, 2025 3:30 PM ET

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. -- Seattle Mariners legend Ichiro Suzuki was enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday afternoon on a sometimes hot, sometimes overcast day in Cooperstown, N.Y.

The owner of 3,089 career big-league hits, Ichiro delivered a riveting speech that was complete with deep introspection, life lessons and playful humor.

One of the more humorous moments came when Ichiro imitated longtime Mariners' radio announcer Rick Rizzs, saying that part of the reason he came to spring training in shape every year was because he wanted to be on the receiving end of one of Rizzs's trademark calls.

Ichiro's impression of @Mariners broadcaster Rick Rizzs is AMAZING pic.twitter.com/DYn4BASKgv
— MLB (@MLB) July 27, 2025

Mariners' fans, who have long admired Rizzs's trademark style, loved the reference and reacted as such on social media.

Per Lyle Goldstein of the Marine Layer podcast:

This Ichiro speech is incredible

So far he’s:

• Taken an absolute shot at the one writer that didn’t vote for him

• Name dropping Bob Costas over his famous “August in Kansas City” interview

• Did a loud Rick Rizzs “holy smokes” homage

And many sentimental stories too

This Ichiro speech is incredible

So far he’s:

• Taken an absolute shot at the one writer that didn’t vote for him

• Name dropping Bob Costas over his famous “August in Kansas City” interview

• Did a loud Rick Rizzs “holy smokes” homage

And many sentimental stories too
— Lyle Goldstein (@Lyle_Goldstein) July 27, 2025

Per @AlexSSN:

Ichiro dunking on the one writer who didn’t select him for the Hall, then a minute later delivering an over-the-top Rick Rizzs impression… this speech has everything

Ichiro dunking on the one writer who didn’t select him for the Hall, then a minute later delivering an over-the-top Rick Rizzs impression… this speech has everything
— alexSSN (@alexSSN) July 27, 2025

Per @MarinerMuse:

Oh my God Ichiro’s Rick Rizzs impression

Oh my God Ichiro’s Rick Rizzs impression
— Mariner Muse (@MarinerMuse) July 27, 2025

Ichiro is now the third Mariners player in the Hall of Fame, alongside Ken Griffey Jr. and Edgar Martinez. He was a 10-time Gold Glover and a 10-time All-Star.

You can read what is on his plaque in the post right here:

This article first appeared on Seattle Mariners on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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