Ichiro Suzuki falls behind Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera with 99.7% Hall of Fame votes

Ichiro Suzuki was among the few Japanese players who transitioned well from Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball to Major League Baseball. Arriving in the majors in 2001, Suzuki was the first Japanese position player to play full-time.

The Seattle Mariners legend was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2025, earning an overwhelming 99.7% of votes on his first ballot. It places him narrowly behind Derek Jeter (2020) and Mariano Rivera (2019) in Hall of Fame voting percentages.

Rivera remains the only player in history to be unanimously elected, securing 100% of the vote (425/425). Jeter followed with a near-perfect 99.7% (396/397). Suzuki’s 99.7% (393/394) ties him with Jeter in percentage but leaves him just short in terms of the raw vote total.

Ichiro joins other elite inductees, like Ken Griffey Jr. (99.3%, 2016) and Tom Seaver (98.8%, 1992), as one of the most celebrated players in Hall of Fame history.

Here are the All-Time highest Baseball Hall of Fame voting percentages:

1. Mariano Rivera: 100% (425/425)
2. Derek Jeter: 99.7% (396/397)
3. Ichiro Suzuki: 99.7% (393/394)
4. Ken Griffey Jr.: 99.3% (437/440)
5. Tom Seaver: 98.8% (425/430)
6. Nolan Ryan: 98.8% (491/497)
7. Cal Ripken Jr.: 98.5% (537/545)

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Mariners to retire Ichiro Suzuki's #51 jersey

Shortly after being voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame Tuesday afternoon, the Seattle Mariners announced to retire Ichiro Suzuki's iconic No. 51 jersey later during the upcoming 2025 regular season.

The schedule to do so would be on Aug. 9 during a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays at T-Mobile Park. The weekend will be called the "Ichiro Hall of Fame Weekend."

“Every time you stepped on the field you energized fans in the Northwest, in Japan and around the world with both your skill and style of play," Mariners president of business operations Kevin Martinez said.

"You were an inspiration to everyone and you did it all while staying true to yourself, showcasing your wonderful personality both in the clubhouse and on the field. It was simply a joy to watch you play and you continue to make an impact on the next generation of players as one of the game’s greatest ambassadors.”

Ichiro Suzuki burst onto the MLB scene in 2001 with the Seattle Mariners, immediately capturing both the American League Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards. In 19 seasons, he amassed 3,089 hits, 10 Gold Glove Awards and a single-season record of 262 hits in 2004 — a record that still stands.

When combined with his nine years in Nippon Professional Baseball, his professional hit total of 4,367 is unmatched in sport history.