Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, Billy Wagner selected

Suzuki almost joined Mariano Rivera, who was tasked with pitching just one inning in nearly every game, as the only unanimous selection to the Hall. He received 393 of 394 votes for a total of 99.746%, placing him second behind shortstop Derek Jeter, who had the best performance by a position player on Hall of Fame voting in 2020, with 99.748%. Ta.

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Seattle Mariners left fielder Ichiro (51) serves as the runner on first base during a game against the Oakland Athletics at Safeco Field on April 14, 2018.

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Suzuki was the first Japanese player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame after a top-class performance in Cooperstown, despite not starting his major league career until he was 27 years old. Still, he racked up 3,089 hits and 4,286 between the majors and Japan’s top league, winning two batting titles. He began his career with 10 consecutive 200-hit seasons, and in his fourth year in 2004, he set a major league record with 262 hits.

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Suzuki did it all with a bit of showmanship and a subtle but undeniable swagger. Sabathia, on the other hand, was a tug who was motivated to help his team succeed while leaving a zero on the scoreboard. Sabathia won 251 games and accumulated a WAR of 62.3 over his 19-year career despite a career 3.74 ERA.

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CC Sabathia and his family and friends react to his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Carter, Amber, CC, Shea, and Jayden Sabathia.

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CC Sabathia was an impressive presence on the mound throughout his 19-year Major League career. Not just because of his size, but also because of the way he takes over games.

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Carsten Charles Sabathia Jr. was a workhorse in every sense of the word. With a record of 6 wins and 6 losses, the left-handed pitcher rarely missed the starting lineup and often pitched late in the innings, but that quality soon became scarce.

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Sabathia, the 2001 American League Rookie of the Year runner-up, spent his first eight seasons in the majors in Cleveland, where he earned a reputation for consistency and durability.

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New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia starts against the Boston Red Sox during an MLB American League baseball game on September 14, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts.

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Billy Wagner made the most of his 10th and final vote, receiving 325 of 394 votes, clearing the 75% barrier.

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Drafted 12th overall by the Houston Astros in 1993 after graduating from Ferrum College in Virginia, Wagner was an exceptional pitcher, especially for a player who was only 5-foot-10 and weighed 180 pounds. When he reached the majors in 1996, he immediately began dominating hitters and quickly became the team’s closer. He earned the first of seven All-Star selections in 1999, posting a 1.57 ERA and 39 saves and finishing fourth in National League Cy Young voting.

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Wagner pitched for nine seasons with Houston, becoming the franchise’s all-time saver, and was traded to Philadelphia in 2004. He was later named an All-Star with the Phillies, Mets, and Braves, but ended his career after the 2010 season.

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Wagner had a 2.31 ERA over 16 years in the majors, with 422 saves and 1,196 strikeouts in 903 innings.

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