Suzuki, a first-ballot Hall of Famer, was elected to the class of 2025 just one vote shy of being unanimous. The one voter who left Suzuki off the ballot has not come forward and the Hall does not release ballots unless the writer gives permission. Five years ago, Jeter too, came up one vote short. The voter who omitted Jeter never came forward.

Fellow Hall of Famer Derek Jeter, named on all but one ballot back in 2020, knows a little about what Ichiro experienced this week.