Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, and Billy Wagner Headline 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame Inductees
The Baseball Hall of Fame welcomes a star-studded trio in 2025, showcasing a blend of unparalleled hitting, dominant pitching, and bullpen mastery. Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, and Billy Wagner, each representing unique facets of baseball greatness, were elected to Cooperstown on Tuesday night.
Ichiro Suzuki, the first Japanese player inducted into the Hall of Fame, received 393 of 394 votes, earning a staggering 99.7% approval. This places him second only to Derek Jeter’s 99.748% among position players in Hall of Fame history. Known for his extraordinary consistency, Suzuki amassed 3,089 MLB hits and 4,286 combined between the majors and Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league. His 10 consecutive 200-hit seasons included a record-setting 262 hits in 2004, his fourth MLB season. Suzuki dazzled fans and opponents alike with his showmanship, precision, and unmistakable flair, establishing himself as one of the greatest contact hitters in the game’s history.
Classic workhorse pitcher CC Sabathia received 86.8% of the vote in his first year of eligibility. Throughout his 19-year career, Sabathia racked up 251 wins, a 3.74 ERA, and a 62.3 WAR, solidifying his position as one of the most reliable arms of his era. Leadership and resilience were his trademarks, and he often carried his teams through pivotal games, making an indelible mark on baseball’s modern era.
Billy Wagner made the most of his 10th and final year on the ballot, securing 82.5% of votes and cementing his place in Cooperstown. A dominant closer, Wagner’s blazing fastball and impeccable control made him one of the most feared relief pitchers in history. His induction ends years of debate and adds a bullpen ace to the 2025 Hall of Fame class.
Other notables on the list with Allen and Parker, along with Suzuki, Sabathia and Wagner are induction into the H of F this summer. Their selections come by vote through the veterans’ committee and there will be celebration galore come July 27 in Cooperstown as a multifarious affair honoring this game of Baseball.
While Suzuki and Sabathia debuted on the ballot with resounding success, Wagner’s long journey to induction reflects the evolving recognition of relief pitchers’ impact on the game.
The 2025 Hall of Fame class celebrates excellence, resilience, and the universal appeal of baseball, honoring players who captivated fans across generations and continents.
