With 52 returning Hall of Famers on hand, Suzuki paid homage to his new baseball home in Cooperstown and his adoring fans by delivering his 18-minute speech in English. His humor, a surprise to many, delighted the crowd. He threw shade at the Miami Marlins, the last stop of his professional career.

Suzuki referened the lone writer who did not give him a Hall of Fame vote, saying that a previous invitation to dinner had now "expired."

CC Sabathia was officially inducted into the Hall of Fame on Sunday helping to headline a class also including Ichiro Suzuki, Billy Wagner, Dave Parker and Dick Allen.