Ichiro Suzuki led the Baseball Hall of Fame ceremony with sincere humor.

Today, at the National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown, Ichiro Suzuki made an appearance at the Otsego Resort. The presence of this legendary player was so commanding that even Hall of Famers Mike Schmidt and Carlton Fisk hesitated to approach him (though they eventually did, and Ichiro immediately recognized them).

What does it mean when other Hall of Famers regard you with awe? What does it signify when throngs of Mariners fans and Japanese tourists flood into this remote town, and the main street even hosts a limited-time Ichiro merchandise shop?

The 2025 Hall of Fame class is diverse and outstanding, but without a doubt, this man, who is known worldwide, is the focal point. One of the greatest leadoff hitters in baseball history delivered a speech that he masterfully controlled in precise English:

“Being inducted into the Hall of Fame was never my goal,” Ichiro said, “I only learned of its existence when I first visited Cooperstown in early 2001. But standing here now feels like a dream come true.”

In this speech that balanced seriousness and humor, he analyzed the difference between "dreams" and "goals"—in childhood essays, he viewed a professional baseball career as a "dream," but now he has a new understanding: “If I were to rewrite that essay, I would replace 'dream' with 'goal.' Dreams may not be realistic, but goals can be achieved through planning. Dreaming is fun, but achieving goals is challenging. It's not enough to talk about ideals; we must clarify the path to realization.”

It is this awareness that drives Ichiro to pay attention to every detail: warming up in the preparation area, extra practice in the training room, maintaining cleats and bats in the locker room, and ensuring his gloves are flawless. “By consistently doing the little things well, there are no limits to potential. Look at me: I’m 180 cm tall and weigh 77 kg. How many people said I was too skinny when I first entered the Major Leagues? When I first stepped onto the field, I felt awe. But believing in the path of preparation ultimately dispels doubts—including self-doubt.”

He candidly addressed the pressure he faced when joining the Mariners in 2001: “It wasn’t just doubt; there was criticism and denial. Some even said, 'Don’t embarrass the country.' My wife, Yumiko, was my strongest support.”

“She could have questioned me but never made me feel that way. Throughout my 19 years with the Mariners, Yankees, and Marlins, she turned all her energy into support, making our home a positive haven. As a player, I strive for stability, and she is my most reliable teammate in life.”

Ichiro shared a humorous anecdote about retirement life: in 2019, his date with his wife took place at a minor league ballpark. “We enjoyed American-style baseball while eating hot dogs. Baseball has given me countless experiences, but sharing a hot dog with the most important person who helped me get here is the most precious.”

His Major League accomplishments have reshaped the possibilities for Japanese players. The new Hall of Fame exhibit, “Baseball: A Trans-Pacific Sports Exchange,” traces the history of baseball’s introduction to Japan over 150 years. Ichiro's contributions as a bridge across the Pacific—paving the way for two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and others—are immeasurable.

For him personally, the arrival of Hideo Nomo with the Dodgers in 1995 changed everything: “Thanks to him, Major League games landed on Japanese screens. Because of his courage, I developed the determination to challenge the unknown.”

As an iconic figure in baseball history, Ichiro has maintained an air of mystery for years. This speech unveiled his thoughts behind the legendary consistency, revealing sharp humor: “Looking at Rod Carew, George Brett, Tony La Russa, and other predecessors, I felt like a rookie again. Thank you all for your warm acceptance. I will uphold the spirit of the Hall of Fame—but let me remind you: I’m 51 this year, so please go easy on the rookie jokes!”