Ichiro became the first Japanese player chosen for baseball’s Hall, falling one vote shy of a unanimous election on Tuesday.

BBWAA voters are a small group with a very big responsibility. We should be willing to talk about it. Or write about it. It’s what we do.

Welcome to the Hall of Fame, Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner. It's a remarkable achievement to survive the gauntlet of baseball writers to get elected to Cooperstown: After all, the Baseball Hall of Fame remains the toughest to gain entry to,