The Incomparable Ichiro Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame

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Ichiro Suzuki, who played for the Seattle Mariners and other MLB teams, has been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Moreover, he was doubly honored, since he had already entered the Japanese Hall of Fame on January 16.

Ichiro was the first Asian player to be selected for the honor. In the past, Hideo Nomo and Hideki Matsui were both nominated, but their vote percentages fell short before they lost eligibility.

Although Ichiro fell one vote short of becoming the second player and the first non-pitcher to be selected unanimously, he will not hold any grudges. After all, no player has even been elected unanimously to Japan's own Hall of Fame and 26 of those casting votes did not vote for Ichiro's induction. As Japanese Baseball Hall of Famer Sadaharu Oh said in his congratulatory speech, "There are some perverse voters out there."

Ichiro's achievements are irrefutable.

As he continued to rewrite many MLB hitting records, Ichiro brought back to life for contemporary fans the names of his predecessors spanning 100 years of history. They were the likes of George Sisler, Shoeless Joe Jackson, Ty Cobb and Willie Keeler.

*Former Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, seen in a May 2010 file photo. Ichiro amassed more hits during his first 10 MLB seasons than any player in history. (©Sankei)*

A Unique Player with Universal Appeal

The Aichi Prefecture native also brought a new style of play to the major leagues where power had reigned supreme. He embodied the diverse facets of baseball's appeal. There was his wide-angle hitting technique as well as his excellent base running and blazing speed that earned him the nickname "ninja." Then, too, fans marveled at his powerful arm characterized as a "laser beam." And the wide range he covered in the outfield earned him the nickname "Area 51."

The earnestness Ichiro brought to every game made him a role model for both Japanese and American players.

Great Hanshin Earthquake Impact on Ichiro's Life

His induction into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame coincided with the 30th anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake.

When that devastating quake struck, Ichiro was playing for the Kobe-based Orix BlueWave. Under the battle cry "Hang in there Kobe," he won the batting title, RBI title and stolen base title that season, contributing to the team's Pacific League pennant-winning success. And the very following year, the team triumphed in the Japan Series, bringing joy to the victims of the disaster.

Ichiro admitted: "The earthquake greatly changed my life in baseball. I want to convey that experience to children."

At the time of his induction into the Hall of Fame in the United States, he spoke about the joy he gets from baseball, saying, "I get to meet a lot of people. The fact that these encounters have shaped who I am is my greatest asset and joy."

A Goodwill Ambassador for Baseball

When active as a player, Ichiro was considered a bit of a loner. After retiring, however, he has traveled around Japan, coaching high school baseball teams and working to promote women's baseball. It appears he considers it his mission to create opportunities for young players to meet and interact.

With concerns over a decline in the number of young Japanese playing baseball, Ichiro Suzuki has made it his personal mission to spread the appeal of the game. If his induction into the Hall of Fame in both Japan and the United States has that impact, the baseball world will have gained a supreme evangelist.

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun

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