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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'It's very surreal': Tom Hamilton to be inducted into Hall of Fame as Frick Award winner
CLEVELAND — In January 1990, Tom Hamilton received the phone call that he was getting a dream job of broadcasting major league games in Cleveland. Last December, he received the call that he was going to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Between those two phone calls were 36 years of Hall-of-Fame-level broadcasting as Hamilton became a true local treasure and one of the best in the business, a beloved figure who acted as the soundtrack for so many Northeast Ohio baseball fans through all the years, many of whom have come to see him as a friend in the booth. This weekend Hamilton, named the recipient of the 2025 Ford C. Frick Award, will be officially inducted into the media wing at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. For a baseball broadcaster, it's the honor of a lifetime, one for which Hamilton is eternally grateful. "It's very surreal," Hamilton said this week, not long before he'll head to Cooperstown and deliver a speech as part of enshrinement weekend. "It's kind of hard to grasp — overwhelming at times — and I'm not trying to fake my modesty, but you're very humbled by it." "Hammy," known by those around him as one of the kindest human beings anyone could ever be lucky enough to meet, will tell you he doesn't feel he belongs alongside some of the game's all-time great broadcasters. Fans who have been listening to him broadcast Cleveland baseball games for anywhere from 36 minutes to 36 years would politely disagree. "I'll never get a better phone call than January of 1990, when Tom Wilson … offered me the job, and you couldn't believe you ever would get that phone call," Hamilton said. "Professionally, this is the second-best phone call [to go into the Baseball Hall of Fame]. It's hard to comprehend, but we're very grateful." Despite his best efforts to keep it together, Hamilton became emotional about 15 seconds into a Zoom call with reporters in December after being given the news he was being named the Frick Award winner. Meeting with local reporters again this week in Cleveland, he was momentarily brought to tears when discussing not his own accomplishments but the kind words so many of his colleagues and peers had said about him over the past few months, both professionally and personally. "Your peers mean everything," Hamilton said. "I was more excited when I got the job in 1990 to meet Ernie Harwell, to meet Vin Scully, to meet Jon Miller … I couldn't believe I was getting to meet those people." After getting into radio broadcasting and spending a few years doing minor league games — experiences he has called invaluable — Hamilton joined Herb Score in Cleveland in 1990. That duo worked together through the team's run to the 1997 World Series. After that season, Hamilton took over and has since partnered with Mike Hegan, Dave Nelson, Matt Underwood and Jim Rosenhaus. Hamilton was asked this week about his broadcast partners, and all the years working with them, and them working with him. His response? "Well, they'll go straight to heaven. There will be no purgatory for them," he said with a smile. "In all seriousness, I haven't had a bad partner in 36 years," he continued. "Now they may disagree, but I haven't had a bad partner. … I've been friends with all of them, still friends with those that are still here." Part of being inducted into the Hall of Fame is delivering a speech in Cooperstown. Hamilton, who would much rather ask you about how your family is doing than ever talk about himself, has some nerves about the whole thing. And he might be working on it up until the moment he walks to the podium in New York. "I feel like every night, I'm tweaking it," Hamilton said. "You're never happy with it. … No one wants to talk about themselves. … But if the speech sucks, in two hours the bar is open and most people will probably forget it. So, we'll be good." It's a well-deserved honor, even if "Hammy" will never believe he belongs in Cooperstown. For him, it's been about the people and the job itself, and giving your best effort on a daily basis because that's what the audience deserves. "We've been so blessed to have this job, and I know how fortunate I am," he said. "There aren't many broadcasters who have been as lucky as I have been." This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland broadcaster Tom Hamilton to be inducted into Hall of Fame
USA Today
6 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Vic Fangio was surprised with a jersey of his favorite Phillies player
Before his Tuesday press conference, Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was surprised with a jersey of his favorite Phillies player, Dick Allen After having two understudies run the system to mixed reviews, the Eagles got their man and the scheme's architect last spring as Vic Fangio was officially named the team's defensive coordinator. Fangio wanted to be closer to his family in Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia had a vacancy after firing Sean Desai. In Fangio's first year as coach, the team had a rocky start with uneven performances in the first four games. However, after a bye week in Week 5 and the addition of Cooper DeJean to the starting lineup, the Eagles went on to win 10 consecutive games. They only lost three games during the regular season, ultimately leading them to a Super Bowl victory. Before his press conference on Tuesday, Fangio, who is an old-school sports fan, was pleasantly surprised to receive a jersey of his favorite Phillies player, Dick Allen. Fangio told the media that Allen was his favorite player as a kid, and the newest member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame out of Wampum, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, was one of the best to ever do it. Allen spent his first seven seasons in Philadelphia with the Phillies. His first full season in the majors, 1964, ranks among the greatest rookie seasons ever according to historians as he led the league in runs (125), triples (13), extra base hits (80), and total bases (352); Allen finished in the top five in batting average (.318), slugging average (.557), hits (201), and doubles (38) and won Rookie of the Year. During his time with the Phillies, Allen made several All-Star teams and led the league in slugging (.632), OPS (1.027), and extra base hits (75) in 1966. Over his 15-year MLB career, Allen posted batting numbers of .292/.378/.534 with 351 home runs, 1,119 RBIs, a .912 OPS, and a 156 OPS+. Allen spent the majority of that time with the Phillies, though he also played for the White Sox, Cardinals, Dodgers, and A's. Allen led his league in OPS four times, slugging percentage three times, on-base percentage and homers two times, and triples, RBIs, runs, and walks once.
Japan Forward
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Forward
Ichiro Suzuki Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame
Ichiro Suzuki was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, July 27, a milestone that puts his trailblazing career in its proper perspective. The Aichi Prefecture native is now a baseball immortal and the first Asian to be enshrined at the revered institution in Cooperstown, New York. Ichiro, joined in the 2025 Hall of Fame induction class by pitchers CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner and the late sluggers Dick Allen and Dave Parker, put his unique personal touch on his speech during the ceremony. A crowd estimated at 30,000, including 52 returning Hall of Famers, attended the event. Reluctant to speak English in public over the years (opting to use an interpreter in his interactions with the press), Ichiro embraced the challenge of giving his induction ceremony speech in English. Ichiro Suzuki gives his induction ceremony speech at the National Baseball Hall of Fame on July 27. (KYODO) This resonated with the global baseball community. Seattle Sports, an ESPN Radio affiliate, summed up Ichiro's nearly 20-minute appearance in front of the microphone on X (formerly Twitter): "Ichiro's heartfelt Hall of Fame induction speech had it all ― sage wisdom, deep gratitude, and yes, his witty sense of humor." The fan favorite opened his speech by saying, "Today, I am feeling something I thought I would never know again. For the third time, I am a rookie. First, in 1992, after the Orix BlueWave drafted me out of high school. Then, in 2001, I became a rookie again at 27 when the Seattle Mariners signed me. "As I look over here now, and see men like [Hall of Fame inductees] Rod Carew, George Brett and Tony La Russa, I realized I'm a rookie again." Laughter and smiles from the audience punctuated Ichiro's speech. "Thank you for welcoming me so warmly into your great team," he continued. Ichiro Suzuki was a 10-time MLB All-Star. (KYODO, KYODO, SANKEI) A Long List of Baseball Accomplishments On Ichiro's Hall of Fame plaque, the inscription includes the following: "With extraordinary work ethic and unparalleled bat control, brought record-setting hit totals to Major League Baseball as its first Japanese-born position player. Electrified 2001 Mariners to record 116-win campaign…" In the years that followed, his incredible batting skills, including 10 consecutive 200-hit seasons, brilliance on the basepaths and excellence as an outfielder were the stuff of legends. Ichiro Suzuki (KYODO) What's more, best-selling author Robert Whiting observed in 2024, Ichiro had "the best work ethic in MLB history." His all-time record of 4,367 combined hits in NPB and MLB, 10 MLB All-Star selections, 509 MLB stolen bases, 10 Gold Glove awards, two AL batting titles, and the 2001 AL MVP and Rookie of the Year awards were a testament to his talent and determination. He also set the single-season hit record (262) in 2004. Curiously enough, all of the above didn't persuade one Baseball Writers' Association of America voter to include Ichiro on their 2025 Hall of Fame ballot. Ichiro was a near unanimous selection, receiving 99.7% of the vote (393 of 394) in his first year as an eligible Hall of Fame candidate. Laughter and Memories With a deep love of baseball and its rich history, Ichiro Suzuki traveled to Cooperstown, New York, seven times during his MLB career to visit the Hall of Fame, which opened in 1936. Visiting Cooperstown for the first time in 2001, he enjoyed looking at historic artifacts and items on display inside the building. Now, as an inductee, Ichiro says he has a duty to honor the game. "I hope I can uphold the values of the Hall of Fame, but please, I am 51 years old now, so easy on the hazing," he joked. He then said, "I don't need to wear a Hooters uniform again." Ichiro also summed up his lifelong ambition in his speech: "My goal was always clear: to play professionally at the highest level." The new Hall of Famer remarked that "people often measure me by my records" before mentioning some of his most famous feats. Then he quipped, "Not bad, huh?" This drew laughter from the crowd ― and a few shouts of arigatou (thank you). Ichiro Suzuki is introduced before he gives his induction ceremony speech. (KYODO) How Baseball Impacted Ichiro's Life Ichiro offered his insights on the impact of baseball on his life. "Baseball is so much more than hitting, throwing and running," he said, before adding, "baseball taught me to make valued decisions about what is important." And he spoke about dedicating himself fully to baseball in order to be able to keep playing until age 45. Indeed, the Japanese legend took his job seriously. "When fans use their precious time to come watch you play, you have a responsibility to perform for them," Ichiro said in his Sunday speech. "Whether we are winning by 10 [runs] or losing by 10, I felt my duty was to be motivated the same from Opening Day through game 162." About one-third of the way through his speech, Ichiro took a humorous dig at the BBWAA writer who ensured that he would not be a unanimous Hall of Fame selection in 2025. "Three-thousands hits or 262 in one season are achievements recognized by the writers ― well, all but one of you," Ichiro stated. The crowd reacted with "ooh!" and a mix of laughter, too. As a baseball player, the recurring sense of duty that Ichiro highlighted in his speech was a reminder of his love for the game. "By taking responsibility for yourself, you support your teammates and you don't cheat the fans," he said, describing the essence of his approach as a player. Ichiro Suzuki made his first visit to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001, when he was an MLB rookie. (KYODO) The Difference Between Dreams and Goals In a vivid recollection from his childhood, Ichiro told the audience that he wrote an essay when he was an elementary school student. The essay was about his dream of becoming a professional baseball player. Looking back, he said, with the wisdom he gained over the years, he admitted he would now swap "dream" for "goal" in the essay. But why? "Dreams are not always realistic," Ichiro opined, "but goals can be possible if you think deeply about how to reach them." Waxing philosophically, he added: "In order to make your dream your goal, you must be honest in thinking about what is important to achieve it." Hideo Nomo (KYODO) The Influence of Hideo Nomo People that inspire others can also influence us to accomplish things. For example, when star pitcher Hideo Nomo left NPB's Kintetsu Buffaloes and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in February 1995, it was notable for Ichiro and Japan as a whole. Nomo was, after all, the first Japanese MLB player in 30 years. (Masanori Murakami pitched for the San Francisco Giants in 1964-65.) "His success inspired many, including me," Ichiro shared. "Thanks to him, MLB was always in the news in Japan, and MLB games were broadcast on TV because of Hideo Nomo's courage." This inspired Ichiro to pursue playing in the major leagues. And he personally thanked Nomo in Japanese during his speech. Numerous thank-you comments followed for the Orix BlueWave, the Seattle Mariners, the New York Yankees and the Miami Marlins, the four teams he played for during his career. "Thank you for giving me the chance to reach 3,000 hits as a Marlin and with those teammates," Ichiro said with gratitude. Ichiro Suzuki's wife Yumiko (center) claps during his speech at the Baseball Hall of Fame. (KYODO) Near the end of his speech, Ichiro thanked his agents, the late Tony Attanasio and John Boggs, his longtime interpreter, Allen Turner, and his wife, Yumiko, for their unwavering support. "It would only be natural if she (Yumiko) had doubts, too," Ichiro pointed out, referring to skepticism about whether he would succeed as an MLB player. "But she never made me feel them. All of her energy was focused on supporting and encouraging me. "For 19 seasons in Seattle, New York and Miami, she made sure that our home was always happy and positive. I tried to be consistent as a player, but she's the most consistent teammate I ever had." Post-Speech Insights In a press conference held after his Hall of Fame induction ceremony speech, Ichiro Suzuki was asked why he decided to give his speech in English instead of Japanese. "Of course it's going to be better to speak in Japanese to get what I am trying to say across," Ichiro said through his interpreter. "But this is America, and being able to speak English, the fans would understand the most and be able to understand and feel how I was feeling. So there was no deciding factor. I always knew that I was going to do it in English." Several of the reporters' questions in Cooperstown in the post-induction press gathering cited Ichiro's humor-laced speech and he acknowledged that there are differences in telling jokes in Japanese and English. But he noted, for example, that he enjoys humor during dinner conversations with American friends. RELATED: Author: Ed Odeven Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
Tokyo Weekender
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Tokyo Weekender
Ichiro Steals the Show at Hall of Fame Ceremony
On Sunday, Ichiro Suzuki was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025. The first Asian-born player elected to the hall, he always spoke to reporters through an interpreter during his career, yet gave his speech in Cooperstown in English. Speaking for just under 20 minutes, the Japanese superstar delivered several memorable lines, including a cheeky dig at the one writer who didn't vote for him. List of Contents: Ichiro Jokes About Writer Who Didn't Vote for Him Humorous and Heartfelt Speech by Ichiro Related Posts Ichiro Jokingly Withdraws Dinner Offer The man who's usually referred to mononymously by his first name fell just shy of unanimous selection , earning 393 of 394 votes from the Baseball Writers' Association of America. 'Three thousand hits or 262 hits in one season are two achievements recognized by the writers. Well, all but one. And by the way, the offer for that writer to have dinner at my home has now expired,' joked the former Seattle Mariners outfielder. Ichiro is, of course, referring to a lighthearted offer he made in January after news of his induction was announced. 'I was able to receive many votes from the writers, and [I'm] grateful for them, but there's one writer that I wasn't able to get a vote from,' he said . 'I would like to invite him over to my house, and we'll have a drink together, and we'll have a good chat.' Along with Ichiro, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner were also inducted into the Hall of Fame, while Dave Parker and Dick Allen were both enshrined posthumously. They were represented at the event by their families. An hour 's delay due to rain didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd, which was estimated to be around 30,000. With several Japanese flags and number 51 jerseys on display, it seemed like the majority were there to see Ichiro. Humorous and Heartfelt Speech by Ichiro His speech was humorous and heartfelt. He thanked various people, including pitcher Hideo Nomo for helping to open doors in the States for Japanese players, and his former agent Tony Attanasio, who sadly passed away last year. There were also shoutouts to all the teams he played for, though he joked that he'd 'never heard of' the Miami Marlins before signing for them. At the end, Ichiro started to get emotional as he spoke about his biggest supporter. 'I think you can imagine there was much doubt when I decided to try becoming the first position player from Japan in MLB,' said Ichiro. 'But it was more than just doubt. There was criticism and negativity. Someone even said to me, 'Don't embarrass the nation.' The person who supported me the most was my wife, Yumiko. It would only be natural if she had doubts too, but she never made me feel them. All of her energy was focused on supporting and encouraging me.' He continued, 'Shortly after I retired, Yumiko and I had a date night. We did something we had never been able to do while I was a player — we sat in the stands and enjoyed a Mariners game together. We did it the American way by eating hot dogs. Of all the experiences baseball has given me, enjoying a hot dog at a game with a person most responsible for helping me reach this moment is the most special.' Related Posts Things To Know About Ichiro Suzuki | List of 7 Yui Hasegawa Discusses Women's Soccer on the Global Field Daiki Hashimoto: Introducing Japan's Best Medal Prospects for Paris 2024
Yomiuri Shimbun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Ichiro Says Being Here Is Like ‘Fantastic Dream' at U.S. Baseball Hall of Fame Ceremony
Ichiro Suzuki delivers his speech during the induction ceremony at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., on Sunday. The former Seattle Mariners star, referred to by his first name throughout a spectacular career on both sides of the Pacific, became the first Japanese-born player to be elected to the U.S. Hall of Fame. 'It helped shape my view of life and the world,' Ichiro said of baseball in his 19-minute speech, given almost entirely in English. 'Being here today sure is like a fantastic dream.'
