Baseball Hall of Fame 2025 induction: Best moments from Ichiro, Sabathia, more

USA Today

7 hours ago

The Baseball Hall of Fame welcomed five new members on Sunday, July 27, as Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, Billy Wagner, Dave Parker and Dick Allen were inducted in Cooperstown, New York.
Suzuki became the Hall of Fame's first Japanese player – assembling a 19-year MLB career after nine decorated professional seasons in Japan – and was just one vote shy of a unanimous election.
Sabathia also got in on his first ballot after winning 261 games as one of the best starting pitchers of the new millennium. Wagner ranks eighth on the all-time saves list with 422, while Allen (1972) and Parker (1978) were MVP award winners.
An enormous crowd showed for the festivities, with Suzuki a fan favorite on both sides of the Pacific Ocean. Sabathia also had a huge number of fans on hand with Cooperstown a four-hour drive from Yankee Stadium, where Sabathia pitched 11 seasons.
Here are some of the best moments from Sunday's Hall of Fame induction ceremony:
Ichiro steals the show
Ichiro was undoubtedly the biggest name of the 2025 Hall of Fame class, the first Japanese-born player to be enshrined in Cooperstown. Despite his immense fame, success and long, illustrious career though, Ichiro started his speech talking about his familiarity with being a rookie – first in Japan, then Seattle, and now Cooperstown. He asked his fellow Hall of Fame members to take it "easy with the hazing."
Ichiro then spoke on his accomplishments, mentioning that he was honored that "all but one" of the BBWAA writers believed he was worthy of Hall of Fame consideration. Ichiro had previously offered to have that writer over for dinner at his house, but during his speech, Ichiro rescinded the offer, which drew a large laugh from the crowd.
Ichiro also did not shy away from the pressure he faced as a Japanese-born player. He went out of his way to thank Hideo Nomo for carving the path toward Japanese players commonly being found in Major League Baseball.
After a day of largely emotional speeches filled with tears and heartfelt poems, Ichiro's was much lighter, speaking largely on the difference between "dreams" and goals", his love for Seattle, and his love for the high-octane calls he heard on the television and radio for some of his most iconic plays. He even talked about his greatest experience in baseball, being able to enjoy a hot dog in the stands with his wife after he'd retired.
Ichiro finished his speech to massive applause and "I-CHI-RO" chants from fans in the crowd.
CC Sabathia learned lessons from each place he lived
Sabathia's speech was a bit of an autobiography, speaking on lessons that he learned and people who inspired him at each step in his life, from his childhood to Cooperstown. He started his speech talking about how his mother inspired his love for baseball, and how he can still remember the starting lineups from certain All-Star games, pointing out fellow 2025 Hall of Fame class member Dave Parker as a player he loved watching growing up. At the same time, he did poke fun at Ichiro Suzuki, who Sabathia claims "stole [his] Rookie of the Year award in 2001."
Sabathia's speech was all about family, from the women who raised him in Vallejo to the brothers he found during his Major League career to his own kids. He's had a lot of homes throughout his career, but home isn't where you live, it's wherever you feel most at peace, and that is very clearly the case for CC Sabathia.
Dick Allen's widow speaks on his character
Phillies' legend Dick Allen was known for his strong build, but his widow Willa, made most of the acceptance speech about his kind heart. Whether it was taking time to speak with children who were fans of his or his simple "Thank you" when the Phillies told him that they were going to retire his number, Allen never took the fact that he got to play baseball for a living for granted.
Willa Allen got noticeably emotional when speaking on her husband's death, which came just four months after the Phillies told him they would retire his number.
Dave Parker's son shares memories of his father
Pirates' legend Dave Parker passed away less than a month away from his induction ceremony, making his son's speech hit that much harder as it happened. Dave Parker II even mentioned that he died while writing his Hall of Fame speech.
Parker II finished his speech with a poem written by his father, noting that it was specifically his father's request that it be read during the acceptance speech.
The poem was a good conclusion, with Parker posthumously praising himself for his "rocket arm" and willingness to "run any catcher over." The best moment of the poem though was the finale. After mentioning that Cooperstown would be his last stop, Parker wrote, "I didn't lie in my documentary, I told you I wouldn't show [to my acceptance speech]." Considering Parker's recent death, this line hit infinitely harder.
Billy Wagner leads off Hall of Fame speeches
Renowned for his closing ability, Billy Wagner led off the Hall of Fame acceptance speeches reminiscing about being a kid who never thought he'd end up in Cooperstown.
Wagner's speech was preceded by incredible words from fellow Hall of Famer and former teammate, Craig Biggio.
Wagner continued on, speaking about his luck to finish his career with his hometown team, the oddity that he never closed a game in the minors and never started a game in the majors, and thanking his family for their support, even getting teary-eyed while mentioning his wife.
Arguably the highlight though was when Wagner turned to speak to his Hall of Fame teammates Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell. Sharing the stage with them, Wagner wasted no time both praising and teasing them, mocking Bagwell's terrifying "glare" and Biggio's whininess, while also praising their consistency and competitiveness.
Ken Griffey Jr. receives monumental applause
With Ichiro Suzuki entering the Hall today, it was no surprise that numerous Mariners fans had made their way to Cooperstown. Before Suzuki could take the stage though, several other Hall of Famers took the stage to show their support, including Mariners' legend Ken Griffey Jr. The applause was enormous, definitely the largest of the day before Ichiro. Unsurprisingly, the next largest applause came from the announcement of Mariners' designated hitter and third baseman Edgar Martinez.
When Suzuki was finally announced, he an Griffey shared a handshake on stage. The two played together for two seasons in Seattle.
What time is the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony?
The 2025 Hall of Fame ceremony was scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. ET. But due to inclement weather expected between noon and 2 p.m., the start of the induction ceremony has been moved to 2:30 p.m. ET.
How to watch Baseball Hall of Fame induction
Where is the Baseball Hall of Fame located?
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is located in Cooperstown, New York, about a four-hour drive north of New York City.
(This story has been updated with new information.)