Ichiro Suzuki Set for Hall of Fame, Felix Hernandez Faces Uncertain Future

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — The 2025 National Baseball Hall of Fame class will be announced Tuesday, with former Seattle Mariners star Ichiro Suzuki expected to earn induction. While Suzuki’s inclusion is all but guaranteed, questions remain about whether he will be a unanimous selection. If inducted, he will join Ken Griffey Jr. and Edgar Martinez as the third player to wear a Mariners cap on his Hall of Fame plaque.

Meanwhile, former Mariners ace Felix Hernandez, known as “King Felix,” faces a more uncertain path to Cooperstown. With 183 ballots revealed, Hernandez has garnered 26.2% of the vote, falling short of the 75% threshold required for induction. However, he has secured the 5% needed to remain on the ballot for future consideration.

Hernandez’s former teammate, Robinson Cano, expressed strong support for his Hall of Fame candidacy. “He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. We all know what he did in Seattle,” Cano told Mariners on SI last week. Hernandez’s resume includes a Cy Young Award, two Cy Young runner-up finishes, six All-Star selections, and a perfect game in 2012. He also holds the Mariners’ franchise records for strikeouts (2,524) and innings pitched (2,729 2/3).

Despite his accolades, Hernandez’s case is complicated by his relatively short career. He retired at 33 after a decline that began in 2017, finishing with a 169-136 record and a 3.42 ERA. His lack of longevity and key milestones, such as 200 wins or 3,000 strikeouts, may hinder his chances. However, his dominant peak, highlighted by a historic 16-start streak in 2014, where he pitched seven or more innings while allowing two or fewer runs, remains a strong argument in his favor.

Hernandez’s candidacy draws parallels to Edgar Martinez, who faced similar challenges as a designated hitter in a small market. Martinez eventually earned induction in his final year on the ballot, thanks in part to advocacy from Hall of Famers like Pedro Martinez and Randy Johnson. Whether Hernandez can follow a similar trajectory remains to be seen.

As for Ichiro, his induction appears inevitable. The 10-time All-Star and 2001 American League MVP amassed 3,089 hits in his MLB career, solidifying his place among baseball’s elite. His unique journey from Japan to MLB stardom has made him a global icon, and his inclusion in the Hall of Fame will further cement his legacy.

While the Mariners celebrate Ichiro’s impending induction, Hernandez’s future on the ballot will continue to spark debate among voters and fans alike. For now, the Mariners’ faithful can take pride in knowing that two of their greatest players are being recognized on baseball’s biggest stage.