Félix Hernández

Lore & Background

On August 15, 2012, Hernández threw the 23rd perfect game in MLB history, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays at Safeco Field by a 1-0 score. Hernández's perfect game was also the first perfect game in Seattle Mariners franchise history. On April 23, 2016, Hernández claimed the record for most strikeouts by a Mariners pitcher when he struck out Rafael Ortega of the Los Angeles Angels for his 2,163rd strikeout. The previous Mariners record of 2,162 strikeouts had been held by Randy Johnson. Hernández's 146th win, which occurred on May 9, gave him the club record in that category as well.

In Their Own Story

The lights hummed above Safeco Field as the crowd fell into a hushed reverence. It was August 2012, and the mound belonged to one man. Félix Hernández wiped his hands on his pants, adjusting his cap with practiced calm. The batter stepped in, eyes locked on the pitcher's hand. A deep breath, a stretch of the legs, and then the wind-up. The ball left his glove like lightning, a blur against the night sky. For nine innings, nothing touched the grass before it crossed the plate. It was perfection.

Reader's Guide

Hernández was born on April 8, 1986, in Valencia, Venezuela. He was first spotted by Luis Fuenmayor, a part-time Mariners scout who saw him pitching at age 14 in a tournament near Maracaibo. The Seattle Mariners signed Hernandez as soon as he turned 16, in accordance with MLB rules. After graduating from high school, Hernández agreed to his first professional contract. Mariners director of international operations Bob Engle signed Hernández as an international free agent on July 4, 2002. Hernández received a large signing bonus of $710,000. One reason Hernández chose the Mariners was that his idol, fellow Venezuelan pitcher Freddy García, was pitching for the team at the time. His agent, Wil Polidor, also attributed the decision to the influence of Hernández's father, Félix Sr. Hernández was dubbed "King Felix" by the U.S.S. Mariner fan blog in 2003. He made his MLB debut on August 4, 2005, in a 3–1 loss against the Detroit Tigers. At 19 years, 118 days, he was the youngest pitcher to appear in the majors since José Rijo in 1984. Hernández threw his first career complete game on June 11, 2006, beating the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 6–2. On August 27, 2006, he registered his first shutout against the Angels, needing only 95 pitches; the game, lasting 1 hour, 51 minutes, was the shortest in Safeco Field history. He was named the Mariners' Opening Day starter in 2007, becoming the youngest pitcher chosen for that assignment since Dwight Gooden in 1985. After leaving the Mariners in 2019, Hernández signed with the Atlanta Braves and then with the Baltimore Orioles; however, he did not pitch in the major leagues again.

Did You Know?

• Hernández threw the 23rd perfect game in MLB history on August 15, 2012, against the Tampa Bay Rays.
• He won the AL Cy Young Award in 2010.
• Hernández set the Mariners franchise record for strikeouts (2,163) on April 23, 2016.
• He was signed as an international free agent on July 4, 2002, not drafted.