Former Marlins player Ichiro Suzuki to join Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday

Former Miami Marlin and 10-time All-Star Ichiro Suzuki joins the ranks of baseball’s best this weekend, as he will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, on Sunday.

Though Ichiro spent most of his career in the outfield for the American League Seattle Mariners, he left a lasting mark on the Marlins during his stint from 2015–2017. On the media headquarters floor of loanDepot park, a Baseball America cover featuring Ichiro and the headline “One of a Kind” takes center stage on the wall of notable Marlins coverage.

“What a career, what a hitter and defender,” Marlins general manager Clayton McCullough said.

By the time he arrived in South Florida, Ichiro was already a global icon. After a historic run in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league, he joined the Mariners in 2001 and immediately made history, winning both the American League MVP and Rookie of the Year awards in his debut season. He quickly became one of the league’s most consistent and dynamic players, earning 10 consecutive All-Star selections and 10 Gold Gloves. In 2004, he set a Major League record with 262 hits in a single season — a record that still stands.

Ichiro brought that same focus, determination, and professionalism to Miami. As a 41-year-old outfielder on a developing Marlins roster, he served as a steady veteran presence and an example of elite preparation during his time in Miami.

In 2016, Ichiro delivered one of the most memorable moments in Marlins franchise history, lining a triple for his 3,000th MLB hit versus the Colorado Rockies — just the 30th player ever to reach that milestone and the only player who did it withthe Marlins.

During his three seasons with the Marlins, Ichiro appeared in 432 games, collecting 236 hits, five home runs, 63 RBI, and 112 runs scored. He also recorded 22 stolen bases. At the plate, he posted a .256 batting average, a .315 on-base percentage and a .325 slugging percentage, totaling a .640 OPS. While his numbers in Miami were modest compared to his early years, they reflected his durability and “longevity,” per McCullough.

For McCullough and the 2025 Marlins, knowing Ichiro wore a Miami uniform definitely adds a little inspiration.

“Whenever someone has a decorated career like Ichiro and handled himself so professionally, both on and off the field, it’s someone that you hold in high regard and have a lot of respect for.”

Ichiro will become the first Japanese player in MLB history and the sixth player associated with the Marlins to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, joining Andre Dawson (2010), Mike Piazza (2016), Tim Raines (2017), Iván Rodríguez (2017), and Trevor Hoffman (2018). Former Marlins manager Jim Leyland, who led the franchise to its first World Series title in 1997, was inducted into the Hall in 2024.

Other players entering MLB Hall of Fame

▪ Dick Allen (Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, 1963-1977): Seven-time All-Star and 1964 National League Rookie of the Year, Allen was one of the most feared hitters of his era. He finished with a .292 batting average, 351 home runs, 1,119 RBI, and a .912 OPS. Allen won the 1972 American League MVP with the Chicago White Sox, leading the league in home runs (37), RBI (113), walks (99), OBP (.420), slugging (.603), and OPS (1.023).

▪ Dave Parker (Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, California — now the Los Angeles — Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, 1973-1991): Known as “The Cobra,” Parker was a powerful and consistent hitter over his 19-year MLB career. He compiled a .290 batting average with 2,712 hits, 339 home runs, and 1,493 RBI. Parker won the 1978 National League MVP, two batting titles (1977, 1978), and three Gold Gloves as a right fielder. Parker was a seven-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion — 1979 with Pittsburgh, 1989 with Oakland.

▪ CC Sabathia (Cleveland Indians — now the Cleveland Guardians —, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees, 2001-2019): Six-time All-Star Sabathia was one of the most dominant left-handed pitchers of his generation, playing 19 MLB seasons. He finished his career with a 251–161 record, 3.74 ERA, and 3,093 strikeouts, becoming just the 17th pitcher, and only the third lefty at the time, to surpass 3,000 strikeouts. Sabathia won the 2007 American League Cy Young Award with Cleveland and played a key role in the Yankees’ 2009 World Series championship.

▪ Billy Wagner (Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, 1995-2010): One of the most powerful relief pitchers in MLB history, Wagner recorded 422 saves (sixth all-time), a 2.31 ERA, and 1,196 strikeouts in just 903 innings. A seven-time All-Star, he averaged 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings and allowed just a .187 batting average against.

This story was originally published July 25, 2025 at 1:51 PM.