Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Speech Highlights and Twitter Reaction

The Baseball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025 was officially inducted at Cooperstown, New York on Sunday.

Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, Billy Wagner and the families of the late Dave Parker and Dick Allen gave speeches before they were honored with plaques commemorating their legendary baseball careers.

Ichiro nearly became the second former player to ever be unanimously inducted into the Hall of Fame, but fell one vote shy. While he initially wanted to meet with the voter who didn't deem him worthy of induction, he jokingly rescinded the offer on Sunday.

Ichiro started his iconic MLB career as a 27-year-old with the Seattle Mariners following a lengthy tenure in Japan, explaining that he felt like a rookie "for the third time" as he entered the Hall of Fame.

The 10-time All-Star and two-time batting champion joined the Miami Marlins towards the end of his career in 2015, joking about the organization.

Sabathia, who entered the majors in the same year as Ichiro, playfully referenced their Rookie of the Year race in 2001 at the beginning of his speech.

"I am so proud and humbled to join you as a Hall of Famer. Even Ichiro, who stole my Rookie of the Year award in 2001," Sabathia joked (0:21 mark).

The former Cy Young Award winner and 2009 World Series champion also expressed his gratitude for his family.

Wagner, a seven-time All-Star who finished his career with 422 saves across 16 seasons, gave a shoutout to former Houston Astros teammates and fellow Hall of Fame members Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell during his speech.

He also detailed his journey to the majors.

Parker's speech was given by his son, Dave Parker II. He shared a poem that his father wrote for his future Hall of Fame induction as well as a message for his family.

The elder Parker earned seven All-Star nods and the 1978 National League MVP award, winning two championships during his legendary 19-year career.

Dick Allen's widow, Willa, gave a speech on his behalf and received a standing ovation from the fans in attendance and the fellow Hall of Famers present at the ceremony.

At the end of the day, Ichiro, Sabathia, Wagner, Allen and Parker were officially welcomed into baseball immortality.