Felix Hernandez is King

Posted on October 9th, 2014 by Matt

One of the biggest stories of last offseason was the Seattle Mariners surprising acquisition of Robinson Cano. The Mariners had been struggling for the better part of a decade, and no one expected for the future Hall-of-Famer Cano to end up taking his game to the Pacific Northwest. It was a high priced gamble for Seattle that has already paid off – the Mariners had their best season in years in 2014 and were just one game short of Wild Card position in the American kingfelixLeague. With Cano locked up for years to come, it seems that the Mariners might be on the right track after all these years.

Already a Star Shining Bright

However, lost in the discussion about Cano coming to Seattle, was the fact that the Mariners already had a legitimate superstar on the roster. Felix Hernandez is a Cy Young winner who is on a very short list of the best pitchers in the world. Most would agree that Hernandez, known as King Felix in Seattle, is the best pitcher in the American League, and is probably the pitcher on the planet not named Kershaw. While a starting pitcher doesn’t play every day like a second baseman does, there is no debating the star status of the King.

Still Getting Better

Amazingly, it would seem that Hernandez actually had his best-ever season in 2014. It didn’t seem possible for him to improve on his previous years, but he managed to take home the ERA title in 2014 and will very likely be the winner of the Cy Young award for the second time in his career. Beyond his on-field statistics, Hernandez has become an institution in Seattle and is easily the most-popular player in the city. He has already signed a long-term contract extension, and he and Cano are poised to be the face of the Mariners for many years to come. Hopefully for Mariners fans, it is a partnership that will lead the team back into October soon enough.

In terms of collectibles, Felix Hernandez is certainly one player you want to have represented in your collection. Rookie cards of the King are highly desirable, as are pieces that relate to his 2012 perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays. If you are serious about assembling a collection that represents all of the best players in baseball from each time period, Felix has more than earned his spot for the last several years in Major League Baseball. Be sure to track down a few of your favorite Felix-related pieces and add them to your collection. If the Mariners are able to make it into October and the King adds a ring to his already impressive mantle, your collection will be all the more impressive.


2008 Topps Co-Signers Felix Hernandez Dual Auto CS-HC Joba Chamberlain Autograph picture

2008 Topps Co-Signers Felix Hernandez Dual Auto CS-HC Joba Chamberlain Autograph

$28.49



2004 Bowman Chrome Felix Hernandez Auto Seattle Mariners Autograph #345 picture

2004 Bowman Chrome Felix Hernandez Auto Seattle Mariners Autograph #345

$129.99



2023 Topps Chrome Black Felix Hernandez  AUTO #CBA-FH - Seattle Mariners picture

2023 Topps Chrome Black Felix Hernandez AUTO #CBA-FH - Seattle Mariners

$60.00



2014 Topps Felix Hernandez Upper Class picture

2014 Topps Felix Hernandez Upper Class

$3.00



2023 Definitive Purple 4/5 Ichiro Felix Hernandez Randy Johnson Auto  #DTA-JGF picture

2023 Definitive Purple 4/5 Ichiro Felix Hernandez Randy Johnson Auto #DTA-JGF

$550.00



Felix Hernandez Rookie Auto 2005 Topps Opening Day Seattle Mariners Rookie MINT picture

Felix Hernandez Rookie Auto 2005 Topps Opening Day Seattle Mariners Rookie MINT

$40.00



2023 Topps Chrome Black Felix Hernandez  AUTO #CBA-FH - Seattle Mariners picture

2023 Topps Chrome Black Felix Hernandez AUTO #CBA-FH - Seattle Mariners

$49.99



2016 Topps Black SSP Felix Hernandez 55/65 Seattle Mariners picture

2016 Topps Black SSP Felix Hernandez 55/65 Seattle Mariners

$12.99



2004 Topps Traded #T144 Felix Hernandez FY RC Mariners *582 picture

2004 Topps Traded #T144 Felix Hernandez FY RC Mariners *582

$4.99



Mariner HOF FELIX HERNANDEZ Panini CHRONICLES OBSIDIAN BASEBALL 4/5 NO. 40 picture

Mariner HOF FELIX HERNANDEZ Panini CHRONICLES OBSIDIAN BASEBALL 4/5 NO. 40

$99.99