Felix Hernandez will be the 11th person inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame, during a pregame ceremony at T-Mobile Park on Aug. 12.
There is no denying that Felix Hernandez is one of the very best players in Seattle Mariners history. Now he is set to be rewarded accordingly.
As announced by the club, Hernandez will be inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame on Aug. 12 at T-Mobile Park. The induction will take place during a ceremony, prior to a game versus the Baltimore Orioles.
The 36-year-old’s list of achievements during his time in Seattle are impressive. His resume includes being a six-time All-Star, a two-time AL ERA leader and the Major League wins leader in 2009.
The height of perfection
Hernandez also pitched a perfect game on Aug. 15 in 2012, in a 1-0 win against the Tampa Bay Rays. It currently stands as the 23rd and most recent perfect game in Major League history.
Perhaps best of all, the Valencia, Venezuela native won the AL Cy Young Award in 2010. He finished first in the league in ERA, innings pitched, innings per start, quality starts and fewest hits per nine innings.
Hernandez completed his 15-year Major League career with a won-loss record of 169-136 in 419 games, all but one of which were starts. He recorded a 3.42 ERA and a franchise-record 2,524 strikeouts in 2,729.2 innings.
Mariners chairman and managing partner John Stanton summed up the feelings for everyone concerned. As per Daniel Kramer of mlb.com, he said in a statement:
“Fans were captivated by Felix from his first start in 2005 until his final pitch in 2019 with every game of his career in a Mariner uniform. He cemented his place in Mariners history with our only perfect game on August 15, 2012 — a day our fans will never forget.
“Felix provided thousands of unforgettable memories throughout his 418 starts, including winning the 2010 Cy Young Award and his improbable 2008 grand slam home run to beat the Mets. His induction into the Mariners Hall of Fame in August — 10 years after his perfect game — symbolizes Felix’s permanent place in the Mariners family and our history.”
Joining a illustrious group
Hernandez will be the 11th player inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame. The other members are Alvin Davis, Dave Niehaus, Jay Buhner, Edgar Martinez, Randy Johnson, Dan Wilson, Ken Griffey Jr., Lou Piniella, Jamie Moyer, and Ichiro Suzuki.
Suzuki was the most recent inductee, in a ceremony which took place in August last year. Hernandez will soon join him and take his place alongside the greatest Mariners in franchise history.
What are your standout memories from Hernandez’s career in Seattle? Where do you rank him all-time among pitchers in Mariners history? Let us know in the comments section below.
