Former Marlins player Ichiro Suzuki to join Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday
Though Ichiro spent most of his career in the outfield for the American League Seattle Mariners, he left a lasting mark on the Marlins during his stint from 2015–2017. On the media headquarters floor of loanDepot park, a Baseball America cover featuring Ichiro and the headline 'One of a Kind' takes center stage on the wall of notable Marlins coverage.
'What a career, what a hitter and defender,' Marlins general manager Clayton McCullough said.
By the time he arrived in South Florida, Ichiro was already a global icon. After a historic run in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league, he joined the Mariners in 2001 and immediately made history, winning both the American League MVP and Rookie of the Year awards in his debut season. He quickly became one of the league's most consistent and dynamic players, earning 10 consecutive All-Star selections and 10 Gold Gloves. In 2004, he set a Major League record with 262 hits in a single season — a record that still stands.
Ichiro brought that same focus, determination, and professionalism to Miami. As a 41-year-old outfielder on a developing Marlins roster, he served as a steady veteran presence and an example of elite preparation during his time in Miami.
In 2016, Ichiro delivered one of the most memorable moments in Marlins franchise history, lining a triple for his 3,000th MLB hit versus the Colorado Rockies — just the 30th player ever to reach that milestone and the only player who did it withthe Marlins.
During his three seasons with the Marlins, Ichiro appeared in 432 games, collecting 236 hits, five home runs, 63 RBI, and 112 runs scored. He also recorded 22 stolen bases. At the plate, he posted a .256 batting average, a .315 on-base percentage and a .325 slugging percentage, totaling a .640 OPS. While his numbers in Miami were modest compared to his early years, they reflected his durability and 'longevity,' per McCullough.
For McCullough and the 2025 Marlins, knowing Ichiro wore a Miami uniform definitely adds a little inspiration.
'Whenever someone has a decorated career like Ichiro and handled himself so professionally, both on and off the field, it's someone that you hold in high regard and have a lot of respect for.'
Ichiro will become the first Japanese player in MLB history and the sixth player associated with the Marlins to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, joining Andre Dawson (2010), Mike Piazza (2016), Tim Raines (2017), Iván Rodríguez (2017), and Trevor Hoffman (2018). Former Marlins manager Jim Leyland, who led the franchise to its first World Series title in 1997, was inducted into the Hall in 2024.
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