Stephen A. Smith Goes OFF on ‘Weak A**’ Hall of Fame Voter Who Prevented Ichiro From Being Unanimous Inductee: ‘I Want Their Names!’
Stephen A. Smith demanded to know the identity of the lone National Baseball Hall of Fame voter who did not select Ichiro Suzuki on their 2025 ballot on Wednesday.
Suzuki — along with CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner — was named to the Hall of Fame’s class of 2025. It was he and Sabathia’s first year on the ballot, and both ended up earning well over the 75% of votes required to enter the Hall of Fame. In fact, Suzuki was selected by 99.7% of voters — earning 393 out of a possible 394 votes. Mariano Rivera, the New York Yankees legend widely regarded as the greatest closing pitcher in history, remains the only Hall of Fame inductee to be voted in unanimously.
While that number alone is remarkable, it was met with a singular question across social media: who didn’t vote for Ichiro Suzuki to enter the Hall of Fame?
Suzuki is one of the greatest hitters in the history of the sport. After an incredibly productive professional career in his home country of Japan, Suzuki made his MLB debut at 27. Despite the late start, he still managed to join the league’s illustrious 3,000-hit club. He also won Rookie of the Year and MVP in his first season in the league.
On Wednesday’s episode of First Take, Smith called for the anonymous voter to make themselves known and explain their decision.
“In 19 years, he only hit 117 home runs,” Smith said of Suzuki. “Double-digit in the home run category only three of the 19 seasons in Major League Baseball; and nobody worth their salt would question whether or not this dude is a hall-of-famer. One of the most complete players we have ever seen in the history of baseball. We know this. That’s why he received all the votes that he received; and one person’s holding out. Who the hell is that person? I want their names! Who are they? These weak ass people that wanna have a vote, but then you don’t want to let anybody know who you are! Stand up! Justify!”
Watch above via ESPN
