Ichiro, who reserved "100% of the votes HOF", ranked second in the rookie season in 2001...Who's the winner?
Nov 20, 2024
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In HOF history, the only player who entered Cooperstown with the support of 100% of the vote is legendary New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera.
Unanimous agreement is impossible, with Derek Jeter (99.7%), Ken Griffey Jr. (99.3%), Tom Seaver (98.8%), Nolan Ryan (98.8%), Carl Ripken Jr. (98.5%), and Tony Gwynn (97.6%), who commanded the times with their outstanding skills and lame careers.
However, the atmosphere of local media is that Ichiro cannot logically refute his entry into the HOF. Not all of the 400 BBWAA (National Baseball Journalists Association) reporters who exercise their right to vote can be of the same opinion, but it would be no wonder if Ichiro won a unanimous vote.
Debuting for the Seattle Mariners in 2001, he had a career-high 3089 hits, 509 steals, 1420 runs and an OPS of 0.757 in 19 seasons until retiring from Seattle in 2019. He has the most hits and highest batting average from Asia.
In particular, he built an unprecedented gold tower of .300, 200 hits, Gold Glove, and All-Star selection for 10 consecutive years from 2001 to 2010, and he won the AL Rookie of the Year and MVP at the same time in his debut season. In 2004, he hit 262 hits, breaking George Sizzler's record of 257 hits in a single season in 82 years.
Ichiro, who was evaluated as the most perfect contact heater, leadoff, and right fielder in history, showed his presence in the baseball world by traveling between the U.S. and Japan even after taking off his uniform.
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On the 20th (Korea time), MLB.com organized a corner titled `Ranking All-time Rookie of the Year' to evaluate and rank 156 Rookie of the Year awards, including this year's award-winning Pittsburgh Pirates Paul Skins and New York Yankees Lewis Hill.
'2001 Ichiro' came in second place. MLB.com posted 'Ichiro's 242 hits that year ranked 10th in the most single season categories. However, Ichiro was a very technical hitter, more than that. In the same year, he combined for 56 steals, the most, boasting speed, winning the gold glove with a cannonball-like throw to right field, and eventually winning the MVP. Moreover, it changed Americans' perception of Japanese players by moving to a new league at the time.
In history, the only players to win both Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season are Fred Lynn in 1975 and Ichiro in 2001.
However, there is one thing that Ichiro has achieved personally that is unfortunate. It's the World Series championship. He has never even stepped on the World Series ground. When he was in Seattle, he made the fall baseball stage only once in his debut season in 2001 and reached the ALCS, and experienced the ALCS in 2012 when he was the Yankees. In 19 postseason games, he marked a batting average of 0.346 (27 hits in 78 at-bats), one home run, eight RBIs, 10 runs, four steals, and an OPS of 0.836 and displayed his unwavering offensive skills, but failed to lift the trophy.
Ichiro, who is not a major league player, has won three championships. He won the Japan Series in 1996 when he was an NPB Orix Blue Wave, and won two World Baseball Classic titles in 2006 and 2009 when he played for the Japanese national team.
Meanwhile, MLB.com Rookie of the Year No. 1 was Jackie Robinson, the Brooklyn Dodgers, in 1947 when he broke down the race barrier. MLB.com says 'Robinson's rookie season is worth more than a record. He had to endure more grueling trials than any rookie in history, and his courage changed baseball forever, opening up opportunities for countless players from all walks of life' I wrote.
It has given historical significance. In terms of the season's performance, the No. 1 ranking in the rankings is no different from Ichiro.
jhno@sportschosun.com
