‘Long Live The King’: Tearful Felix Hernandez inducted into Mariners Hall of Fame
Standing before a sold-out crowd – the same faithful that cheered his name in gold shirts and ‘K’ signs in the King’s Court – Felix Hernandez was, officially, Mariners royalty.
There are no greater careers in Seattle pitching history than The King. And on Saturday, in a pregame ceremony at T-Mobile Park, the club inducted Hernandez into the Mariners Hall of Fame.
Dressed in a stylish, all-tan suit and unable to hold back tears, Hernandez emerged from the home bullpen to an ovation. Like he did so many times before, he stood atop the mound, pointed to the ground, and mouthed his popularized mantra: “This is my house.”
A gold throne awaited him near home plate, situated alongside Mariner legends and former inductees from Ken Griffey Jr. to Ichiro.
“You have made me the happiest man alive,” Hernandez said, addressing the crowd. “It’s truly (an) honor. The Mariners, T-Mobile Park, and Seattle will always be a part of my heart and my home.”
Hernandez becomes the 11th inductee into the Mariners Hall of Fame, a six-time All-Star and 2010 AL Cy Young Award-winner. He won MLB’s ERA title in 2014 and started that season’s All-Star Game for the American League.
With six top-ten finishes in Cy Young voting – including his one win and a pair of runner-ups – Hernandez cemented himself as one of the most dominant and feared pitchers of the 15 years his career spanned.
A major-league career that began in 2005 would end in the same uniform, in 2019. The entirety of Hernandez’s magnificent career fell within Seattle’s longtime postseason drought — but Felix never left.
What he brought to Seattle beyond exceptional pitching talent was his unwavering loyalty, even through the franchise’s darkest days.
“It’s an honor. It’s a special thing, being in the (Mariners) Hall of Fame,” he said Friday. “Especially here, in Seattle. A place that I love. The place that I call home.”
In 2011, the famous “King’s Court” began, where Felix’s fan club gathered in left field to witness their ace every fifth day. For years, he threw baseball’s best changeup, better described as a hitter’s kryptonite that induced whiffs and groundouts alike.
“That pitch… made me rich,” Hernandez said.
He dotted corners with an electric four-seamer and often fooled opponents with a nasty curve. It earned Hernandez numerous club records.
His 2,524 career strikeouts rank 37th in MLB history, 362 more than Randy Johnson for most-ever in a Seattle uniform (2,162).
Other career records Hernandez owns in Mariners history, many far from broken: wins (169), bWAR (49.9), games started (418), innings pitched (2729.2), and quality starts (258).
He tossed an immaculate inning (2008) and a four-strikeout inning (2010). In 2008, Felix belted his only career home run in style – an opposite-field grand slam off Mets ace Johan Santana in Shea Stadum’s final season.
Four years later, an afternoon home start against Tampa Bay on Aug. 15, 2012, would soon stand atop the rest. Felix went 27-up, 27-down to deliver the first perfect game in Mariners history, and just the 23rd in MLB history.
A 1-0 shutout of Tampa Bay, the final pitch of perfection was called strike three, a perfectly-placed changeup that froze Rays infielder Sean Rodriguez. Felix famously kissed his wrists (where his children are tattooed) and pointed to the heavens – an unforgettable snapshot of the greatest pitching performance in team history.
“It was fun to watch (me) every five days,” Hernandez said. “The (fans) gave me a lot of excitement, too. Every time I jump on the mound… I do more than 100 percent. I do 1,000 percent for them every single day.”
Saturday’s crowd at T-Mobile Park anticipated a crucial middle game with Baltimore, as Seattle continues a fierce challenge for the postseason. But it was undoubtedly Felix’s crowd, before all else.
“You guys took a chance on me in 2002. Playing in Venezuela, just 16 years old,” Hernandez said. “And you stood by my side ever since.
“You are the greatest fans in the world. Thank you for all of the support. I love you guys.”
What does Felix miss most?
“Hanging out with the boys in the clubhouse,” he said. “The game? Not that much. But hanging out with the boys? Yes.”
FELIX’S PLAQUE
It reads:
Nicknamed “King Félix.” One of the most popular Mariners of all time, the righthander spent his entire 15-year ML career in Seattle beginning as a 19-year old graduate of the Mariners farm system. Finished his career as the franchise leader in wins (169), ERA (tied-3.42), starts (418), innings (2,729.2) and strikeouts (2,524). Voted AL Cy Young Award in 2010 and a 2-time runner-up (2009 and 2014). A 6-time All-Star and 2-time AL ERA leader (2010 and 2014). Fired the first perfect game in Mariners history vs. Tampa Bay on August 15, 2012, only the 23rd in ML history. Beginning in 2011, the popular “King’s Court” was in session for all his starts at home. Fans with gold t-shirts and “K cards” filled sections in left field to cheer him and every strikeout. Inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame (August 12, 2023). Born April 8, 1986, in Valencia, Venezuela.
This story was originally published August 12, 2023 at 7:08 PM.
