Baseball icon Ichiro Suzuki's induction into the Hall of Fame was a near certainty, but the question of a unanimous vote remained. Falling just one vote short, Ichiro garnered an impressive 99.7% of the ballots cast by baseball writers, mirroring Derek Jeter's near-unanimous selection in 2020. This leaves Mariano Rivera as the sole MLB player with a perfect 100% induction vote, achieved in 2019.

Ichiro Suzuki, formerly of the Seattle Mariners, warming up before a game against the Houston Astros at T-Mobile Park. (Joe Nicholson/USA Today Sports)

The single dissenting vote ignited strong reactions. Sports journalists voiced their disapproval on social media, using terms like "numbskull" and "moronic" to describe the decision. The near miss was also labeled "upsetting" by others. This echoes the sentiment surrounding Ken Griffey Jr.'s near miss in 2016, when the fellow Mariners legend fell just three votes short.

Despite the controversy, Ichiro's place in Cooperstown is secure. He becomes the first Japanese-born player to receive this honor, cementing his legacy in baseball history. His journey began in Japan, where he showcased his exceptional talent with a .353 average over nine seasons, winning three MVP awards and seven All-Star selections. Joining the Mariners at 28, he immediately made an impact, winning the AL MVP and contributing to the team's record-breaking 116 wins.

Ichiro Suzuki acknowledging fans after a game against the Oakland Athletics at Tokyo Dome. (Darren Yamashita/USA Today Sports)

Ichiro's decade of dominance from 2001 to 2010 saw him achieve All-Star status and win a Gold Glove Award every year. He also earned three Silver Slugger Awards and two batting titles, maintaining a .331 average and .806 OPS. His 2004 season stands out with a record-breaking 262 hits, making him the only player to achieve ten consecutive seasons with 200+ hits. With over 500 stolen bases, he joins an elite group of seven players with 3,000 hits and 500 stolen bases.

Remarkably, after just 11 MLB games, Ichiro's batting average never dipped below .300. He retired with a .311 average, 3,089 hits, and a 60.0 WAR. In the modern era, he's one of 21 players with at least 10 seasons hitting .300 and one of seven to achieve this feat for 10 consecutive seasons. His career included stints with the Yankees and Marlins, though he is most closely associated with the Mariners.

Ichiro Suzuki addressing the crowd during his induction into the Mariners Hall of Fame. (Steven Bisig/USA Today Sports)

Joining Ichiro in the Hall of Fame are pitchers CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner.