Ichiro Jokes He'd 'Never Heard' of Marlins Before 2015 Contract Offer in HOF Speech

Ichiro Suzuki spent a few seasons with the Miami Marlins in the later stages of his career, but he wasn't so familiar with the team before arriving in Miami.

During his Hall of Fame induction speech on Sunday, Suzuki joked that he didn't know who the Marlins were when they offered him a contract.

"Honestly, when you guys called to offer me a contract for 2015, I had never heard of your team," he said.

Suzuki signed with the Marlins following a three-season stint with the New York Yankees. Though he joined Miami well past his prime, he ended up putting together a few good seasons, especially considering he was in his 40s when he played with the Marlins.

Though he may have been reluctant to sign with the Marlins at first, he clearly enjoyed his time there, considering he spent three years in Miami. Unfortunately for both Suzuki and the Marlins, his time in Miami didn't see much success on the field as the team missed the postseason in each of his three years.

Suzuki, along with CC Sabathia, Dick Allen, Billy Wagner and Dave Parker, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday.

Suzuki fell just one vote shy of being voted unanimously into the Hall of Fame, and he jokingly called out the one writer who didn't vote for him.

"Three thousand hits or 262 hits in one season are achievements recognized by the writers. Well, all but one of you," he said during his induction ceremony speech. "By the way, the offer for that writer to have dinner at my home has now expired."

The Japanese star retired a 10-time All-Star, two-time AL batting champ, AL Rookie of the Year and an AL MVP. He broke the record for the most hits in a single season when he collected 262 in 2004.