Best MLB players not in the Hall of Fame: Seattle Mariners, Ichiro Suzuki
WAR value: 56.4
We know Ichiro Suzuki is getting into the Hall of Fame once he is eligible. So this becomes more about appreciating his career than making a case for him. Because when it comes to the Seattle Mariners, he is the best player still waiting to get in.
Ichiro made his MLB debut in 2001 and immediately racked up the awards. He was named Rookie of the Year, MVP, an All-Star, a Silver Slugger, and he took home a Gold Glove. His 242 hits in his first year against MLB pitching made it clear this young man was truly a special talent.
His career is a special one because even though he started to slow down his pace after a decade, it was because he was approaching 40 years of age. If he had come over as a 21-year-old, he may have set records that would never have been broken.
Ichiro still managed to break the 3,000-hit mark in MLB and made 10 All-Star Games. And in addition to all his dominance on offense, he took home 10 Gold Gloves as well. Few players ever showed off the arm he did in right field.
The Mariners legend ultimately called it quits in 2019 so he has a few years to go before enshrinement. He stands out as one of the few locks ready for Cooperstown after a career than changed the idea of how a batter can be effective in MLB. In an era of home runs, Ichiro would slap just about any ball into the outfield for an easy hit.