COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Ichiro Suzuki captivated a crowd of thousands during his Hall of Fame induction ceremony with a nearly 20-minute speech delivered in English, breaking from his usual practice of using an interpreter. This unprecedented choice allowed Ichiro to engage directly with his American fans, showcasing both his proficiency in English and his personality.

Those familiar with Ichiro were aware of his language skills, but public appearances had typically featured him speaking Japanese. The decision to address the audience in English was a heartfelt gesture, as Ichiro expressed a desire to connect more meaningfully with the fans who had supported him throughout his illustrious career.

CC Sabathia, a former teammate, reflected on Ichiro’s capabilities, stating that he always knew Ichiro could deliver a speech in English. “It was good for people to get to know his personality and how hard he worked,” Sabathia shared.

Brian Cashman, general manager for the New York Yankees, recalled his initial conversations with Ichiro when he was acquired in 2012. An elaborate phone call with an interpreter had set the stage for their collaboration. When Cashman later met Ichiro in person, he was taken aback by his fluency. “He responded by speaking better English than I did,” Cashman remarked.

In his induction speech, Ichiro extended his gratitude not only to the Mariners and their fans but also to his former team in Japan, the Orix BlueWave, which gave him the opportunity to transition to Major League Baseball in 2001. He fondly remembered his tenure with the Yankees, emphasizing the leadership of Derek Jeter and the organization’s culture.

Billy Wagner also took the stage on Sunday, marking the milestone of becoming the first left-handed reliever inducted into the Hall of Fame. Wagner noted that he had been preparing for his speech for approximately a decade, eagerly anticipating this moment.

He acknowledged the significant role played by the New York Mets during his career, particularly highlighting the support he received from the team and its former owners, the Wilpons. “For a small-town guy like me, going to a big city was a challenge, but they made it easy for me to come to the field and compete,” Wagner said.

In a touching moment, Wagner reflected on his stature as one of the few pitchers in Hall of Fame history under six feet tall and the only inductee from a Division III college, Ferrum College. He expressed his amazement at reaching such heights in a sport where he never imagined he’d find success.

The ceremony took on a somber note with tributes to Dave Parker, who passed away in June at the age of 74. His son, Dave II, delivered a speech on his father’s behalf, while Willa Allen spoke in tribute to her late husband, Dick Allen.

Sandy Koufax, the oldest living Hall of Famer at 89, was present to witness the festivities, which were delayed by an hour due to weather conditions. The event drew an estimated 30,000 fans, all eager to celebrate the legacies of these baseball greats.