Suzuki is the first Japanese player chosen for baseball’s Hall of Fame, falling one vote shy of unanimous. NEW YORK (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki became the first Japanese player chosen for baseball’s Hall of Fame, falling one vote shy of unanimous when he was elected Tuesday along with CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner.

Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner. With players this accomplished and an institution so steeped in history, there are plenty of fun facts to dig through about the newest Hall of Fame class.

That was one of the best debut seasons ever. Ichiro was an All-Star and won a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove award in right field. He not only coasted to the Rookie of the Year award but narrowly surpassed Jason Giambi to win the MVP. He joined Fred Lynn as the only rookies to be named the Most Valuable Player.

Ichiro Suzuki became the first Japanese player chosen for baseball's Hall of Fame, falling one vote shy of unanimous when he was elected Tuesday along with CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner.

Former Houston Astros pitcher Billy Wagner, one of the best relief pitchers in the 1990s and 2000s, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Hall call came for Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner. In results announced Tuesday night on MLB Network, the trio was elected by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America as part of the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.

Ichiro Suzuki, a veritable hits machine on both sides of the Pacific Ocean, became the first Japanese player to gain entry into the National Baseball Hall of Fame when he was