Ichiro Suzuki Invites Mystery Writer for a Drink After Hall of Fame Snub

Ichiro Suzuki, the first Japanese player elected to the Hall of Fame, wants to share a drink with the one writer who didn't vote for him. He got 393 out of 394 votes from the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Suzuki struggled to understand what this achievement means right now. He recalled his first Hall of Fame visit in 2001 when he was named AL Rookie of the Year, getting almost all the votes except one from an Ohio writer. That writer picked CC Sabathia instead. Sabathia remembered facing Ichiro in 2005.

Ichiro hit two long home runs off him in the same game. Ichiro also talked about his favorite memorabilia, a mock Hall of Fame plaque with his dog on it. Sabathia, who helped the Yankees win the World Series in 2009, joined the team after hearing about clubhouse turmoil. He quickly felt at home. Billy Wagner, voted in on his 10th try, felt humbled by his election. He hopes his story inspires others, just like Pedro Martínez's did.

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