SEATTLE -- For Ichiro Suzuki, whose baseball career defied convention and shattered records, his induction into the Hall of Fame has long felt less like a crowning achievement and more like an inevitable conclusion to one of the sport¡¯s most remarkable journeys.

Indeed, Suzuki is officially headed to Cooperstown.

Suzuki¡¯s election in his first year on the ballot, which saw him fall one vote shy of being the first position player to receive a unanimous vote, further solidifies his place among baseball¡¯s all-time greats. Suzuki received 99.7 percent of the votes cast by eligible members of the Baseball Writers¡¯ Association of America.

The only player of the 278 Hall of Fame players to be voted in unanimously is longtime Yankees closer Mariano Rivera. Suzuki joined Mariners legend Ken Griffey Jr. and Yanks icon Derek Jeter (who also had 99.7 percent of the vote), both former teammates, in falling just short despite widespread acclaim of being among their era¡¯s best players.

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From the moment that he stepped onto a big league ball field in 2001, Suzuki was unlike anything the sport had ever seen ¨C a man who played like a matador but with the precision of a surgeon, a hitter who turned slap singles into a work of art and infield grounders into extra-base knocks with his trademark speed. His bat control, honed through years of relentless training in Japan, was so precise that it bordered on mysticism.

Suzuki¡¯s arrival in Seattle in 2001 is a moment that remains seared into the memories of Mariners fans. His rookie season was among the most epic for a first-year player, when he became the second player after Fred Lynn (1975 Red Sox) to win American League MVP and Rookie of the Year Awards in the same season after he hit .350, led the Majors in hits and flashed his defensive brilliance in the outfield.

That year set the tone for an era of dominance, and Suzuki¡¯s consistency and excellence became the hallmark of his career. The Mariners announced Tuesday night that they will officially retire his No. 51 on Aug. 9 this season.

¡°It meant so much to have felt that,¡± Ichiro said about the support he received in Seattle through interpreter Allen Turner. ¡°As I¡¯ve gone through my career and interacted with many people, I felt like those peoples¡¯ kindness and their feelings really helped me perform and also be the person that I am.

¡°Obviously the feelings I have toward the Seattle fans are very special.¡±

By the time he retired in 2019 at 45 years old, Suzuki had accumulated 4,367 hits -- 3,089 in MLB and another 1,278 from his time in Japan¡¯s Nippon Professional Baseball. His Major League total is the 24th-most in AL/NL history, and that benchmark was achieved with a unique combination of speed, contact, and discipline.

But it¡¯s more than just his statistical contributions that have cemented Suzuki¡¯s legacy. The way he played the game -- with a singular focus on perfecting his craft, from meticulous pregame rituals to precision in both the batter¡¯s box and the field -- reshaped the approach of future generations of players. He brought a level of intensity and professionalism that set a standard for years to come.

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Even as his career wound down and he transitioned between teams -- parts of three seasons with the Yankees (2012-14) and three years with Marlins (2015-17) -- Suzuki¡¯s impact never waned. Despite being a role player in his later years, his leadership in the clubhouse and mentorship to younger players was invaluable. Even today, he¡¯s formed a close bond with Mariners star Julio Rodr¨ªguez.

For Mariners fans, this Hall of Fame election feels like the ultimate validation. Suzuki is not just a Hall of Famer -- he¡¯s their Hall of Famer.

His impact in Seattle extends beyond the confines of T-Mobile Park, where his electric presence drew sellout crowds and made every at-bat an event. He was the heart and soul of the 2001 team that won 116 games, which remains the most all-time for any team in a single season -- and a record that many have touted could stand the test of time.

Suzuki¡¯s influence transcended baseball as well. His arrival in Seattle heralded a new era of international stardom in the sport, as the baseball world began to take note of the profound impact Japan would have on MLB.

With a unique blend of grace, discipline and unrelenting desire to succeed, Suzuki served as a bridge between two baseball cultures, and his success gave rise to an entire generation of players from Japan -- many of whom have followed in his footsteps to MLB, including Shohei Ohtani.

On his path to Cooperstown, Suzuki joins an elite group of players who have transcended their sport. With his election, he becomes one of the few players who both revolutionized the game and also exhibited sustained excellence over an incredibly long and distinguished career.

Suzuki¡¯s role as a cultural ambassador also cannot be overstated. His legacy will be remembered as one of not just breaking barriers, but also of redefining what it means to play the game with honor and relentless passion.

While Suzuki is no longer a fixture on the roster, his legacy in Seattle -- and in baseball -- remains a shining beacon, and he maintains a strong presence with the Mariners in his role as a special assistant to the chairman.

As the baseball world awaits his induction into Cooperstown in July, one thing is clear: Suzuki¡¯s place in baseball history is secured forever.