Mariners legend Ichiro Suzuki once cited Ken Griffey Jr. his MLB idol during his HOF induction

In August 2022, MLB legend Ichiro Suzuki was officially inducted into the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame. Suzuki gave his HOF induction 16-minute speech in English while reflecting on his career. He also cited 13× All-Star and his former Mariners teammate Ken Griffey Jr. as his MLB idol.

"There is a guy I like to call George. You know him as Ken Griffey Jr. He was my idol even before I came to America. But in 2009, he returned to Seattle and I finally got to be his teammate. Yes, he's a jokester. But for me, he's also a true professional. He helped me in more ways than I can express. Being his teammate is truly one of my career highlights," said Suzuki during his Mariners HOF induction speech.

"He was my idol, even before I came to America."

During his @Mariners HOF induction speech, Ichiro Suzuki shows The Kid a ton of love. https://t.co/9kBeplhedQ

"During his Mariners HOF induction speech, Ichiro Suzuki shows The Kid a ton of love." - MLB

Ichiro spent 18 years in Major League Baseball with the Miami Marlins, New York Yankees, and Seattle Mariners. He retired in 2019 from the MLB after his short-lived second stint with the Seattle Mariners (2001–2012; 2018–2019).

Here are his MLB career highlights and awards:

10× All-Star (2001–2010)
AL MVP (2001)
AL Rookie of the Year (2001)
10× Gold Glove Award (2001–2010)
3× Silver Slugger Award (2001, 2007, 2009)
2× AL Batting Champion (2001, 2004)
AL Stolen Base Leader (2001)
MLB Record 262 Hits, Single Season
Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame

Ichiro Suzuki debuted in MLB at the age of 27

After Ichiro Suzuki's debut team in Japan, Orix BlueWave, allowed him to negotiate with Major League clubs, he resorted to the posting system (a transfer mechanism between NPB and MLB). The Seattle Mariners won the right to negotiate with Ichiro and the Japanese star signed a three-year, $14 million contract with the team.

11/20/2001. Ichiro Suzuki's MLB debut with the Seattle Mariners could hardly have gone better. The Japanese baseball superstar burst on the North American scene with 242 hits, a .350 batting average, 127 and 56 steals. #Mariners https://t.co/22mEJCXN4u

"Ichiro Suzuki's MLB debut with the Seattle Mariners could hardly have gone better. The Japanese baseball superstar burst on the North American scene with 242 hits, a .350 batting average, 127 and 56 steals." - John Devlin

Over the next two decades, Ichiro cemented his mark as a baseball superstar in the league. He was especially praised for the length of his career and the ability to produce at a high level despite being 40+ years of age.