Andruw Jones’ Hall of Fame Fate Hangs in Balance as Ichiro Nears Unanimous Selection

NEW YORK — As the 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame voting deadline approaches, the contrasting trajectories of Andruw Jones and Ichiro Suzuki have sparked intense debate among voters and fans alike. Jones, a defensive powerhouse with 10 Gold Gloves, remains on the brink of induction, while Ichiro, a global hitting icon, is poised to become only the second unanimous Hall of Famer in history.

Jones, who amassed 57.9 bWAR in his first 10 full seasons, has seen his candidacy stall at 72.6% support, just shy of the 75% threshold required for induction. His decline phase, which saw him accumulate only 4.7 bWAR over his final six seasons, has left some voters questioning his overall legacy. “Andruw Jones was the best defensive center fielder in baseball for a decade,” said one voter. “But his later years have made this a tougher call.”

In stark contrast, Ichiro Suzuki’s case appears bulletproof. With 4,367 combined hits between Japan and MLB, 10 Gold Gloves, and a decade of 200-hit seasons in the majors, Ichiro is widely regarded as a lock. “He’s as automatic as there is,” said another voter. “Leaving Ichiro off the ballot would be the only wrong answer.”

The disparity between the two players has raised questions about how voters evaluate Hall of Fame credentials. Both players rank in the 99th percentile for their peak 10-year performances, with Jones at 99.5 and Ichiro at 99.4. Yet, while Ichiro’s late-career decline has been overlooked, Jones’ has become a sticking point.

Other notable candidates on the ballot include Carlos Beltrán, Mark Buehrle, and CC Sabathia. Buehrle, known for his durability, pitched 200 or more innings in 14 of his 15 seasons, a rarity in today’s game. Sabathia, a workhorse with over 3,000 career innings, also garnered support for his consistency and longevity.

Relievers Billy Wagner and Francisco Rodríguez presented another dilemma for voters. Wagner, in his final year of eligibility, received a vote based on his superior ERA, WHIP, and strikeout-to-walk rate. However, Rodríguez’s similar career numbers made the decision a close call.

As the baseball world awaits the final results, the debate over what constitutes a Hall of Famer continues to evolve. For Jones, the question remains whether his early-career dominance will outweigh his late-career struggles. For Ichiro, the only question is whether he will join Mariano Rivera as the second unanimous selection in Hall of Fame history.