Felix Hernandez

At 38 years old, Felix Hernandez has this physical status:

Félix Abraham Graham Hernández Garca (born April 8, 1986) nicknamed "King Félix") is a Venezuelan-American professional baseball pitcher who plays for Venezuela.

He has played for the Seattle Mariners in Major League Baseball (MLB).

In 2005, he made his MLB debut. In a 1–0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on August 15, 2012, he threw his 23rd perfect game in Major League Baseball history against the Tampa Bay Rays.

It was also the first flawless game in Seattle's franchise history.

His perfect game is still the most popular in Major League Baseball. Hernandez set the record for most strikeouts by a Mariners pitcher on April 23, 2016, beating out Rafael Ortega of the Los Angeles Angels for his 2,163rd strikeout as a Mariner pitcher.

Randy Johnson had a previous record of 2,162 strikeouts.

His 146th victory, which occurred on May 9, gave him the club's highest single win in that class as well as Jamie Moyer's record.

Early life

Hernández was born in Valencia, Venezuela. Luis Fuenmayor, a part-time Mariners scout who saw him pitching at age 14 in a tournament near Maracaibo, Venezuela, was first noticed. Hernández was recommended by Fuenmayor to fellow Scouts Pedro Avila and Emilio Carrasquel, who were impressed with the youngster's ability to throw 90 mph. In accordance with MLB rules, the Seattle Mariners signed Hernandez as soon as he turned 16 years old.

Hernández has recently agreed to his first professional job after graduating from high school. On July 4, 2002, Mariners director of international affairs Bob Engle recruited Hernández as a nondrafted free agent. Hernández received a significant signing bonus of $710,000, but he said the Mariners were not the highest bidder. The New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves were among the other clubs attempting to sign him, with both teams apparently offering more funds than Seattle.

Hernández chose the Mariners for the reason that his idol, fellow Venezuelan pitcher Freddy Garca, was pitching for the team at the time. Wil Polidor, his son's manager, attributed the decision to her father, Félix Sr., a trucking business owner who managed negotiations for his son. The Engle and the other Mariners' scouts had a long-term friendship with the family to inform their plans for Félix and earn the family's loyalty.

Personal life

Hernández and his wife have a son and a daughter, and the family lives in Clyde Hill. Abraham is his middle name used by his family and relatives. Moises, Hernandez's older brother, spent 12 seasons in various leagues.

Hernández has two dogs, King and Oreo, and he is a spokesperson for the Seattle King County Humane Society. Hernández is also the Seattle Mariners Ambassador for the Pepsi Refresh Initiative, pledging funds for the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Hernández was naturalized as a resident of the United States in September 2018.

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Professional career

Hernández came from the United States and began pitching in the Mariners' minor league system last year. Hernández broke through Class-A in Everett and Wisconsin in 2003, with a 7–2 record. He played in the winter league in Venezuela, and he held his own against a tournament that did not feature established major league players.

In 2004, Hernández was named the Mariners' minor league pitcher of the year, a season that also saw him play in the Futures Game. He started with Inland Empire in the California League before being promoted to Double-A San Antonio and pitched 1491 innings in 14913 innings.

Baseball America ranked him as the No. 1 at the start of 2005. 1 pitching prospect in baseball and No. Joe Mauer came in second, 2nd overall. Hernández continued his success in 2005 with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers in the Pacific Coast League, posting a 9–4 record and 100 strikeouts in just 88 innings. He was selected for the Triple-A All-Star Game but did not attend because he was on the injured list for a month with shoulder bursitis. He was also named Rookie of the Year and PCL Pitcher of the Year.

Hernández was nicknamed "King Felix" by the United States in honor of his arrival. During his minor league days, a Marine fan blog appeared.

Hernández was called up to the Mariners right away after recovering from his injury. In a road game against the Detroit Tigers on August 4, 2005, he made his debut on August 4, 2005, losing 3–1 on August 4, 2005. He was the first pitcher to play in the major leagues since José Rijo in 1984 at 19 years, 118 days. Hernández won his first major league victory in his next outing on August 9, 2005, pitching eight shutout innings in a 1–0 victory over the Minnesota Twins at home. He had a streak of 112 batters before he allowed his first extra-base hit, a double by Jermaine Dye of the Chicago White Sox, in his first two appearances.

Hernández led to a 4–4 record with 77 strikeouts and a 2.67 ERA in 12 starts. He was out of his rookie status with 84+1/3 innings pitched. He became the center of a controversy over the possibility of his pitching in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Despite Hernández's promotion from a provisional roster in Venezuela, the Mariners protested, blaming his previous injury and complaining about the strain on his arm after switching from this sport to the demands of a full season in the major leagues at such young age. Their appeal to the WBC's technical committee was ultimately accepted.

Hernández was given a uniform number 59 when he first joined the major leagues. He jumped to number 34 in 2006, the same number Freddy Garca (since transferred to the Chicago White Sox) had worn as a Marine).

Hernández was unprepared in spring training for his first full year in the major leagues and had his season-long preparations interrupted by shin splints. He recovered in time to start the season in the starting rotation, where he often failed, but there were glimpses of the potential that had ignited such awe. He had a few more personal records to count. On June 11, he threw his first complete game in his career, defeating the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim by a score of 6–2.

Hernández's first shutout against the Angels was recorded on August 27, needing only 95 pitches and allowing five hits while giving up four strikeouts. The game, which lasted just 1 hour, 51 minutes, was the shortest in Safeco Field history.

The Mariners announced that they would limit the number of innings Hernández pitched to 200 (counting both the regular season and spring training). Since the Mariners fell out of contention, they had to skip his turn in the rotation a few times as the season went on. The team decided to increase the ceiling to 205 to prevent him from getting off to a good start at the end of the year. His 191 regular-season innings were still the most on the team, and he ended 12-14 with a 4.52 ERA. The Mariner pitching staff was also led by his 12 victories and 176 strikeouts. In addition, he had the fastest fastball of all major league starters in 2006, throwing 95.2 miles per hour.

During the offseason, Hernández returned to his parents' house in a modest Valencia suburb, while waiting for the construction of a house for himself, his mother, and his daughter. Unlike his older brother Moises, a pitching prospect with the Atlanta Braves, he did not pitch in the Venezuelan winter league at the team's request. A Seattle Times profile of his life in Venezuela, with its loosened daily routine, raised eyebrows among those who were concerned about his health. He had been told specifically to rest for two weeks after the season, according to the team later this year. He then began a fitness program, which included an improved diet, daily running, and regular weight training to shed about 20 pounds. Hernández was in much better shape upon his return to the United States in January, when he started a throwing program in advance of spring training.

Based on his improved health and a fruitful spring training, the Mariners announced that they would no longer limit the number of innings Hernández could pitch in 2007, instead focusing on pitch counts to avoid overuse. Hernández received the privilege of being the team's starting lineup on Opening Day. In 1985, he became the youngest pitcher selected for this assignment since Dwight Gooden. He pitched eight innings of a 4–0 victory over the Oakland A's, allowing three hits and two walks while setting a career-high with 12 strikeouts.

Hernández's next game against the Boston Red Sox on April 11, a much-anticipated duel with Japanese import Daisuke Matsuzaka, who was making his home debut at Fenway Park, put him into the national spotlight. Hernández came to an end and upstaged the matchup between Matsuzaka and his countryman, Ichiro Suzuki, by hurling no-hit ball for seven innings, concluding with a one-hit, complete shutout in a 3–0 victory.

He was forced to leave the game early in his next game against Minnesota because of his tightening in his right elbow, particularly when throwing his slider. He was scanned the next day and discovered with a tightened flexor-pronator muscle in his forearm, which was placed on the disabled list after undergoing an MRI examination that night. Two planned returns were postponed as the team took a cautious decision in bringing him back, but it did not want to send him to the minor leagues for a rehabilitation assignment. Rather, he was activated on May 15 and kept on a reduced pitch count from the start.

Hernández was attempting to regain his form after returning from his injury in the first two months of the year. Hernández posted a 14-7 record on the season. His victory over the New York Yankees on September 3, his first appearance at Yankee Stadium, snapped a nine-game Mariner losing streak, but it wasn't enough to keep the team from falling out of playoff contention. His 3.8 ERA for the season was the best among the team's starters, and he led the Mariners in strikeouts with 165. He threw the fastest fastball of any major league starters in 2007, clocking 95.6 miles per hour.

Hernández was the thirteenth AL pitcher to throw a "immaculate inning" on June 17, the team's third (striking out the side on precisely nine pitches). In the 4th inning, he did this against the Florida Marlins. Hernández of the New York Mets scored his first major league home run on June 23, his first major league home run of the season. Hernández became the first American League pitcher to reach a grand slam since Cleveland's Steve Dunning did, on May 11, 1971, and he was the first American League pitcher to do so since interleague play and the DH rule began. It was also the first home run for a Mariners pitcher to be struck by a pitcher. Carlos Beltrán slid into Hernández as he covered home, injuring the pitcher's left ankle. He was asked to leave the ballgame and was placed on the 15-day disabled list. He ended the season with a perfect 4.000 slugging percentage.

Hernández finished the season with a 9.46 ERA and 175 strikeouts. In 2008, he delivered the fastest fastball of all AL starters, hitting 94.6 miles per hour.

Hernández stopped arbitration in January and signed a one-year, $3.8 million contract. Hernández got off to a good start on the season, but then it fell cold in May, going 1–3. Don Wakamatsu, the manager of a sloppy loss to the Anaheim Angels, has sluggishly chastised him for not "stepping up" as an ace. Hernández will continue to play just two games during the remainder of the year.

Hernández threw a complete game, two-hit shutout against the Padres on June 19 against San Diego. This was his first complete game of the season and he got off to a good start of his career. Hernández's dazzling appearance in June (3–0 record, 0.93 ERA, 35 strikeouts), earned him the AL Pitcher of the Month award for June, and the Mariners' representatives were selected alongside outfielder Ichiro Suzuki in the 2009 MLB All Star Game. In the sixth inning, he made his first All-Star appearance of his career, tossing a hitless inning.

Hernández was 9-3 with a 2.53 ERA when he shut down 122 batters in 124+2+3 innings pitched by the All-Star break, hitting out 122 batters in 122 runs. He was one of the youngest and fastest pitchers to beat out 600 batters since Dwight Gooden at the age of 23 years. By the season's end, he will have 800 strikeouts.

Hernández set career highs in wins, strikeouts, batted, and earned run average during the 2009 season. Hernández finished the season 19-05 with a 2.49 ERA and 217 strikeouts, and was in strong contention for the AL Cy Young Award. In the award voting, Hernández came in second, behind Zack Greinke.

The Seattle Mariners and Hernández decided to a five-year contract extension worth about $78 million, which added to the Mariners' volatile offseason in which Cliff Lee and Milton Bradley were traded for Cliff Lee and Milton Bradley. Hernández struck out four batters in one inning on June 3, 2010. He did so by striking out Joe Mauer on a wild pitch before knocking out Justin Morneau. He was the third Marine to achieve this feat.

Hernández struck out David Ortiz for his 1,000th career strike out on August 25, 2010. He was the third youngest pitcher to do so since 1952, behind Bert Blyleven and Dwight Gooden, and also the fourth highest overall, behind Bob Feller.

Hernández was working on a no-hitter until Nelson Cruz broke it up with a home run in the eighth inning. In his first game of the year, he threw a complete-game two-hitter in Toronto, losing only one run on José Bautista's 50th home run of the year in the first inning. However, the Mariners' offense was shut out by Blue Jays pitching, and Hernández was dealt his twelfth loss of the season. Ten of Hernández's twelve losses were in games where the Mariners were out or scored only one run, and four other times, the bullpen blew a lead Hernandez lost to them.

Despite his mediocre win-loss record, Hernández received the 2010 American League Cy Young Award on the strength of his previous work, including the most strikeouts, walks, and hits per nine innings, and complete games against the most batters in the league. Hernández's record was 13.27, 232 strikeouts, and 249+223 batters pitched, a total of 13-1912 for the season 13-12. His 13 victories were the fewest by a starting pitcher to win the Cy Young Award in a non-shortened season (Fernando Valenzuela took the award with 13 victories in a strike-shortened season). He was also named the Best of the Year in Baseball by Sporting News AL Pitcher of the Year, and he was also named for the This Year in Baseball Award. He was named the AL Cy Young Winner of the Baseball Prospectus Internet Baseball Awards.

For the second time, Hernández was selected to the American League All Star Team. In rookie Michael Pineda and closer Brandon League, he was a scout for the Mariners.

Hernández struck out nine batters out of the season on August 31, 2011, giving him 204 strikeouts. It was his third straight season in which he had more strikeouts. Clayton Kershaw, Kerry Wood, and Yovani Gallardo are the only other pitchers to have three 200-K seasons at 25 or younger over the past 20 years. Kershaw also performed it in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. Wood also did it in 1998, 2001, and 2002. Gallardo did it in 2009, 2010, and 2011.

Hernández was selected for his third All-Star Game on July 1. After AL Team manager Ron Washington said Hernández's 113 pitches thrown on July 1 was the deciding factor, he did not pitch in the July 3 game. When Hernández won over the Yankees 1–0 on August 4, he pitched his third shutout in a row after losing their first eight starts. He won his sixth decision in a row in his third appearance in a row.

Hernández played the first perfect game in Mariners history on August 15, the 23rd and the most recent perfect game in MLB history. In a 1–0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, he had 12 strikeouts, five of which were in the last two innings. It was the fourth no-hitter in team history, and Hernández was the only Mariners pitchers to throw individual no-hitters. On June 8, one of the club's no-hitters was mixed, and the Dodgers needed six pitchers to do so. His superb game was the last no-hitter in the American League for the next three years until his Japanese colleague, Hisashi Iwakuma, took his place on August 12, 2015.

Hernández signed a seven-year contract with the Mariners worth $175 million on February 13, 2013, essentially ending the first two years of his previous contract and leaving open a new one for 2020. Before being surpassed by the Detroit Tigers' $180 million contract in March 2013, he was the highest-paid pitcher in Major League history until he was surpassed by the $180 million contract. Hernández scored his 100th career victory over the Houston Astros on April 22 in a 7–1 victory. Hernández, a six-inch pitcher, walked one, and struck out nine in that game. Hernández was selected to his fourth All-star game on July 6, 2013. He pitched in the fourth inning and gave up one run but no runs were scored. Hernández had a rough August, going 1–4 with a 5.82 ERA and a 281 OBA. Since trying to rest his oblique, he only got off to three starts in September. Hernández went 12–10 with a 3.04 ERA and 22 quality starts in 2013, taking out 216 in 204+13 innings in 31 innings. He was 5th in strikeouts in the American League and 6th in ERA.

Maria Peguero's wife was charged with three counts of wire fraud on October 19, 2013 after reportedly making $180,000 in online purchases with the debit card of Hernandez's wife. Carlos Peguero told investigators he was unaware of any fraudulent transactions, despite the fact that his wife's brother worked for Saks Fifth Avenue, where the fraudulent transactions were made. Carlos is not the object of the probe.

Hernández pitched the Mariners season opener against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on March 31. It's his seventh time in a row that he started the season for Seattle. He won by six innings, giving up three runs (two earned), and striking out 11 Angels. The Mariners won 10–3. He made his first two appearances against Oakland, both against Oakland. However, Hernández will not win again until May 12. Hernández was 0–1 in that time.

Hernández was ejected against the Tampa Bay Rays at Safeco on May 12, for the first time in his career. Hernández began yelling at the home plate umpire in dissatisfaction with his calls when he called the game in the seventh after a three-run double. In a 5–0 victory, Hernández struck out a career-high 15 batters against the Rays on June 8. Because no runs were scored after he left the game, Hernández got a no-decision. Hernández won his tenth game against the Cleveland Indians in a 3–0 victory in eight shutout innings with just one hit. Fernando Rodney pitched a flawless ninth to win the game on his 23rd save pitching career.

Hernández was named as an All-Star, as well as teammates Robinson Canó, Kyle Seager, and Fernando Rodney. Hernández will be the starter for the game on July 14, according to AL boss John Farrell. Hernández pitched the first inning of the All-Star game, tossing out two National League batters and leaving one infield base hit. Hernández pitched 16 straight outings between May 18 and August 11, some allowing 2 or fewer runs per day. This is the longest streak in baseball history, beating the record of 13 by Tom Seaver set during the 1971 season. This streak was snapped against the Detroit Tigers on August 16th. In five innings, he gave up two earned runs. He had to toss 92 pitches.

Hernández claimed his second American League ERA title with a 2.14 ERA, three points less than Chicago White Sox pitcher Chris Sale's average. On September 28, he earned the ERA title against the Angels, who were going 5.1 innings, allowing no runs and seven strikeouts. Hernández set the lowest ERA mark for an AL pitcher since Pedro Martz in 2000. In addition, he had the lowest WHIP since Martinez in 2000, who also set the lowest WHIP by an AL pitcher (0.92). In the AL Cy Young Award competition, he came in second, behind Cleveland Indians pitcher Corey Kluber. On July 30, these two teams met together. Hernández lost 2–0 against him.

For the sixth straight time, Hernández was the opening day starter. Despite giving up Mike Trout's first home run of the season (Trout's first 2014 and 2015 at-bats were home runs off of Hernandez), he defeated the Angels 4–1 with 7 innings pitched, two runs, one earned run, and struck out 10 Angels. Hernández scored his 2,000th strike out against the Oakland Athletics on May 10, becoming the fourth-youngest player to reach that milestone. Hernández was selected as an All-Star alongside colleague Nelson Cruz by Ned Yost, the 2015 All-Star Game boss. This is his fifth straight All-Star pick and sixth overall.

Hernández's season was not without its challenges. Hernández, who had a 1.91 ERA in the first two months of the season, lost 7 runs to the New York Yankees at home on June 1. He gave up eight earned runs while only recording one out in a game against the Houston Astros on June 12, the second lowest game of his career. His ERA increased from 2.51 to 3.38. On August 15, exactly three years to the day he threw a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays, he allowed a career-high ten runs against the Boston Red Sox in only 2+1 innings, tying a new career low game score of 6. His ERA went from 3.11 to 3.65.

Hernández's record was 3.53, the lowest ERA for Hernández since the 2008 season. For the first time in six years, he had 201 innings and 191 strikeouts, but he didn't get to 200 strikeouts.

On April 4, Hernández's greetings began on Opening Day. On Opening Day, he will lose for the first time ever, pitching six innings, walking five runs, and striking out six out six. He gave up three runs but one earned. With 2,162, Hernández tied Randy Johnson for most strikeouts as a Mariner, knocking out Didi Gregorius aiming for the final out of the fifth inning, two runs hit out in the fifth inning. Hernández's debut at the Los Angeles Angels' Rafael Ortega for the second out for the second out in the first inning. Hernández defeated the Tampa Bay Rays on May 9, defeating Jamie Moyer for the most victories as a Seattle Mariner. After hopping up to celebrate a home run on June 1, Hernández was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a right calf strain. Hernández won his 150th match in his career on August 15, beating Mike Trout and the Angels by a score of 3–2. This was a monumental victory on the fourth anniversary of his brilliant game.

Hernández was forced to leave the game on April 25, due to a recurring shoulder injury. He had been diagnosed with right shoulder inflammation, which put him on the 10-day disabled list, the next day. He was activated on the weekend of June 24, after being on the disabled list for two months. He was battling the Houston Astros 13-3 and striking out eight batters. Hernández was again put on the disabled list on August 5th due to right biceps tendinitis. He would miss from three to four weeks due to right shoulder burstis, according to a post.

Hernández was suspended from a Spring Training match against the Chicago Cubs on February 26, 2012. Victor Caratini, the Cubs' catcher, was struck on his throwing arm. Hernández was banned from the game and later diagnosed with a contusion on his right forearm, according to manager Scott Servais. He had been out for at least ten days, but the return date was expected to two weeks.

Hernández's tenth Opening Day appearance in a row occurred on March 29, 2018. Only Jack Morris, Robin Roberts, and Tom Seaver have all started on a new opening day. He pitched 5.1 innings, giving up no earned runs on two hits, two walks, and four strikeouts. The Mariners won the game 2–1. For the third straight season, he was placed on the disabled list on July 10.

In a loss to the Texas Rangers on August 7, 2018, Hernández allowed 11 runs in six innings. In 23 starts, he climbed his ERA to a career-best 5.73. Scott Servais, the game's manager, would not commit to his next game in the rotation. Hernández was kicked out of the starting lineup on August 9, according to Servais. Hernández was kicked out of the starting rotation and moved to the bullpen on August 10. On August 14, starting pitcher James Paxton was struck by a line drive in his first appearance as a reliever against the A's. Hernández has rejoined Paxton on the disabled list for a short time. Hernández's off-season was his worst ever season, going 8-14 with an ERA of 5.55 in 155+2/3 innings.

Marco Gonzales will be the Opening Day starter in Tokyo, Japan, snaping Hernández's streak of ten consecutive Opening Day starts, a record held by only 6 other pitchers in history. Hernández started the 2019 season as the Mariners' No. 5 starter in the rotation, pitching 5.1 innings with 3 runs (only 1 earned) on 7 hits and 4 strikeouts.

Hernández struck out Michael Chavis, his sixth-youngest pitcher in Major League history, smashing out 2,500 strikes out against the Boston Red Sox on May 11. However, he was put on the 10-day injured list after starting with a right shoulder strain. He began working with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers in June. Hernández pitched in his last game of the season on September 26, 2019 against the Oakland Athletics in a 3–1 loss. He threw for 5+1/3 innings, gave up 5 runs, 3 runs, and walked 4 batters while striking out 3. Hernández had a 1–8 record, 57 strikeouts, and a 5.40 batting average in 621+2nd innings. Hernández became a free agent on October 31, turning him into a hero.

On May 28, 2011, a special cheering section for Hernández, dubbed "King's Court," debuted in Safeco Field on the foul territory side of the left field foul pole. The creation of the Mariners marketing manager marked the first time in Major League Baseball that a stadium based on a well-known celebrity. By popular demand, the cheering section was expanded from two to three sections, Sections 148, 149, and 150 by the end of the year. Seats are offered at a discount, and the ticket price includes a yellow "King Félix" T-shirt and a large "K" to wave when cheering for strikeouts by Hernández. On the days that Hernández's court "King's Court" is typically occupied by 1,500 people. Hernández was reported to love the cheering squad but he was able to maintain his focus and not give in to the temptation to toss a quickball on a 0–2 basis in response to his adoring fans. When a marquee matchup (duel of team aces) or a big/important game in which Hernández pitched was played, another King's Court was installed directly above the King's Court. These sections were referred to as the "High Court."

Hernández signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves on January 20, 2020. Hernández revealed on July 4, 2020, he will be out of the 2020 season due to problems relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. On November 2, 2020, he became a free agent.

Hernández's minor league deal with the Baltimore Orioles organization began on February 3, 2021. Hernandez opted out of his Orioles contract and became a free agent on March 29.

International career

In the 2009 World Baseball Classic, Hernández represented Venezuela. He pitched four innings in relief, surrendering only one hit but not allowing a run. Hernández won Puerto Rico by 4+2/3 innings in his next game. Hernandez played for Venezuela during the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

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