COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. - The speech Ichiro Suzuki gave Sunday at the National Baseball Hall of Fame was charming, funny and delivered in perfect English. Who knew? Allen Turner, his long-time interpreter,

Ichiro Suzuki claimed he had never heard of the Marlins before signing with them during his Hall of Fame speech.

As of Ichiro’s speech, the writer who left him off the ballot, keeping him from becoming the second unanimous first ballot Hall of Famer, has remained anonymous. Mariano Rivera received a perfect 425 of 425 votes for his initial Hall of Fame bid in 2019.

Ichiro's heartfelt Hall of Fame induction speech had it all – life lessons, deep gratitude, and yes, his witty sense of humor.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown honored the class of 2025, including a Cobra, a cannon arm, and a guy who'd never heard of the Marlins.

All-Star right fielder and Seattle Mariners legend Ichiro Suzuki was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025. But even as Ichiro was awarded the honor alongside CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner, it was his speech that stole the show.

This weekend, Mariners legend Ichiro Suzuki will become the first Asian player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The family of legendary Mariners broadcaster Dave Niehaus — the voice of Seattle baseball for more than three decades — shared a quiet exchange they had with Ichiro.