The class of 2025 was welcomed to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, with five legendary players receiving the prestigious honor. Billy Wagner, CC Sabathia, Dave Parker, Dick Allen, and Ichiro Suzuki were inducted during a ceremony in Cooperstown, New York.
Billy Wagner, who played for the Boston Red Sox, made history as the only inductee to have done so. He was chosen on his 10th and final ballot after saving 422 games over a 16-year career. Wagner’s impressive feat capped off an illustrious career, which included two saves titles.
Ichiro Suzuki, a two-time batting champion and 10-time All-Star, gave a heartfelt induction speech. The former Seattle Mariners star praised Hideo Nomo, the pioneering Japanese pitcher who paved his way to America. Ichiro credited Nomo’s success with inspiring him to take the leap, citing how it opened up opportunities for Japanese players in baseball.
Hideo Nomo, a Red Sox pitcher from 2001, is still remembered fondly by Boston fans for throwing a historic no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles that year. His impressive MLB record of 123-109 with over 1,900 strikeouts earned him recognition as one of the game’s top pitchers.
The inductees join an esteemed group of baseball legends at the Hall of Fame, solidifying their places in history.
Source: https://nesn.com/2025/07/ichiro-praises-former-red-sox-pitcher-during-induction-speech