Baseball history has been made as three legendary players—Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, and Billy Wagner—are set to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Their election represents different aspects of baseball greatness: a consistent hitter, a dominant starting pitcher, and a reliable relief ace. With this induction, the Baseball Hall of Fame continues to honour players who have left an unforgettable mark on the sport.
Ichiro Suzuki: A Hitting Machine with Unmatched Consistency
Ichiro Suzuki, one of the greatest hitters in baseball history, was elected to the Hall of Fame in overwhelming fashion. He received 393 out of 394 votes, securing 99.746%—the second-highest percentage ever for a position player, just behind Derek Jeter’s 99.748% in 2020.
Suzuki is the first Japanese player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, and his career achievements are remarkable. Despite beginning his Major League Baseball (MLB) career at 27, he managed to collect 3,089 hits in the majors, adding to his total of 4,286 hits across both MLB and Japan’s professional league.
Some of his most notable achievements include:
- 10 consecutive seasons with 200+ hits
- Two-time batting champion
- MLB single-season record with 262 hits in 2004
With his unique batting style, speed, and defensive excellence, Suzuki revolutionized the game and brought a new level of excitement to baseball.
CC Sabathia: The Workhorse of the Mound
CC Sabathia, known for his durability and leadership on the mound, also earned his place in Cooperstown. Over a 19-year career, Sabathia won 251 games and posted a 3.74 career ERA. Despite the high workload, he maintained a 62.3 WAR (Wins Above Replacement), showcasing his immense value to his teams.
Sabathia was a force in the postseason, helping the New York Yankees win the 2009 World Series. His consistency and ability to dominate opposing hitters made him one of the most respected pitchers of his era.
Billy Wagner: A Legendary Relief Pitcher
Billy Wagner made the most of his 10th and final appearance on the Hall of Fame ballot, finally crossing the 75% threshold for induction. In 2024, he narrowly missed election by just five votes, but in 2025, he secured 82.5% of the votes, cementing his place among baseball’s elite.
Wagner’s dominance as a relief pitcher was undeniable. Known for his blazing fastball and clutch performances, he recorded 422 career saves and maintained a stellar 2.31 ERA. His induction further solidifies the importance of elite closers in baseball history.
A Historic Hall of Fame Class for 2025
Suzuki, Sabathia, and Wagner will officially be inducted into the Hall of Fame on July 27, 2025, in Cooperstown. They will be joined by Dick Allen and Dave Parker, who were selected by the Veterans’ Committee.
This year’s class represents a diverse mix of talent and playing styles, making the 2025 induction ceremony an event to remember. Fans from around the world, especially from Japan, are expected to celebrate Suzuki’s historic achievement, making it a truly international celebration of baseball greatness.
The 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame class is one for the ages, bringing together Ichiro Suzuki’s unmatched consistency, CC Sabathia’s dominance on the mound, and Billy Wagner’s brilliance as a closer. With their incredible careers and achievements, they have left a lasting impact on the sport.
Their induction is not just a recognition of personal success but also a celebration of baseball’s global influence. As Cooperstown prepares for a grand celebration, fans eagerly anticipate honouring these legendary players who have etched their names in baseball history.
Baseball Hall of Fame voting results 2025
- Ichiro Suzuki: 99.7% (first year)
- CC Sabathia: 86.8% (first)
- Billy Wagner: 82.5% (10th, final year)
- Carlos Beltrán: 70.3% (third)
- Andruw Jones: 66.2% (eighth)
- Chase Utley: 39.8% (second)
- Álex Rodríguez: 37.1% (fourth)
- Manny Ramírez: 34.3% (ninth)
- Andy Pettitte: 27.9% (seventh)
- Félix Hernández: 20.6% (first)
- Bobby Abreu: 19.5% (sixth)
- Jimmy Rollins: 18% (fourth)
- Omar Vizquel: 17.8% (eighth)
- Dustin Pedroia: 11.9% (first)
- Mark Buehrle: 11.4% (fifth)
- Francisco Rodríguez: 10.2% (third)
- David Wright: 8.1% (second)
- Torii Hunter: 5.1% (fifth)
- Ian Kinsler: 2.5% (first)
- Russell Martin: 2.3% (first)
- Brian McCann: 1.8% (first)
- Troy Tulowitzki: 1% (first)
- Curtis Granderson: 0.8% (first)
- Adam Jones: 0.8% (first)
- Carlos González: 0.5% (first)
- Hanley Ramírez: 0% (first)
- Fernando Rodney: 0% (first)
- Ben Zobrist: 0% (first)
2025 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot
- Billy Wagner (10th year on ballot)
- Andruw Jones (8th)
- Carlos Beltrán (3rd)
- Alex Rodriguez (4th)
- Manny Ramirez (9th)
- Chase Utley (2nd)
- Omar Vizquel (8th)
- Bobby Abreu (6th)
- Jimmy Rollins (4th)
- Andy Pettitte (7th)
- Mark Buehrle (5th)
- Francisco Rodríguez (3rd)
- Torii Hunter (5th)
- David Wright (2nd)
- Carlos González (1st)
- Curtis Granderson (1st)
- Félix Hernández (1st)
- Adam Jones (1st)
- Ian Kinsler (1st)
- Russell Martin (1st)
- Brian McCann (1st)
- Dustin Pedroia (1st)
- Hanley Ramírez (1st)
- Fernando Rodney (1st)
- CC Sabathia (1st)
- Ichiro Suzuki (1st)
- Troy Tulowitzki (1st)
- Ben Zobrist (1st)
