Ichiro Suzuki stats: Hall of Fame's first Japanese star won awards, set records
A superstar overseas and for nearly two decades in Major League Baseball, Ichiro Suzuki's 2025 election to the Baseball Hall of Fame makes him the first Japanese-born player to be enshrined in Cooperstown.
Suzuki's success in America was far from guaranteed when he became the first Japanese position player to join MLB, signing with the Seattle Mariners for the 2001 season.
Suzuki hit .350 that year with 56 steals to win American League MVP and Rookie of the Year awards, helping the Mariners tie the MLB record with 116 wins in the regular season. In each of his first 10 seasons in MLB, Suzuki was named an All-Star, won a Gold Glove award and topped 200 hits.
He wound up playing 19 MLB seasons – until the age of 45 – and racked up 3,089 hits, spending time with the New York Yankees and Miami Marlins late in his career, ultimately finishing his career back in Seattle.
Suzuki's immediate success paved the way for Japanese position players to make the leap across the Pacific and he should also get some Japanese company in Cooperstown down the road, with Shohei Ohtani already winning three MVP awards since coming to America for the 2018 season.
Here's a look at the new Hall of Famer's career accomplishments:
Ichiro Suzuki career stats
MLB – 19 seasons
- .311 average in 2,653 games
- 3,089 hits
- 509 steals
- Holds single-season hits record: 262 in 2004
- 10 consecutive 200-hit seasons: 2001-2010
Japan – nine seasons
- .353 average, .421 OPS, .943 OPS
- 1,278 hits in 951 games
Ichiro Suzuki highlights
Ichiro Suzuki awards
MLB
- 2001 American League MVP
- 10-time All-Star: 2001-2010
- 10-time Gold Glove winner: 2001-2010
- Two-time batting champion: 2001, 2004
- 2001 AL Rookie of the Year
Japan
- Seven-time All-Star: 1994–2000
- Japan Series champion: 1996
- Three-time Pacific League MVP: 1994–1996
How old is Ichiro Suzuki?
Ichiro Suzuki was born Oct. 22, 1973 and will be 51 years old when he is inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Ichiro Suzuki net worth
Ichiro Suzuki earned approximately $167 million in 19 MLB seasons.
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