All-Star right fielder and Seattle Mariners legend Ichiro Suzuki was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025. But even as Ichiro was awarded the honor alongside CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner, it was his speech that stole the show.

The Marlins employed Ichiro Suzuki for three of his 19 seasons in MLB; the newest Hall of Famer told a hilarious story about them during his induction speech.

Ichiro says his offer to meet with the writer who didn't select him for the Hall of Fame is now off the table.

Ichiro Suzuki brought gratitude and humility to the stage in Cooperstown at his Baseball Hall of Fame induction. But in a 20-minute speech, the Seattle Mariners' newest Hall of Famer also brought the jokes.

Ichiro Suzuki has his Hall of Fame plaque read to the crowd and receives his ring during his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame

“Lou Piniella was very skeptical,” said Larry Stone, a Seattle Times baseball writer who has covered Ichiro’s career extensively. “That spring training, Ichiro started off not pulling the ball, not driving the ball. And Lou was like, ‘Who is this guy? When is he going to show me something?’”

When Bryan Woo gets to the field every day, Ichiro Suzuki is already there. Taking batting practice. Shagging fly balls. Playing catch. He hangs around after too, offering any advice he can to the current generation of Mariners players.