Former Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez is one of the highest-supported players up for Cooperstown
This past summer comprised several of the most celebratory months in Seattle Mariners history.
Mariners legend and former outfielder Ichiro Suzuki was inducted in the 2025 National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., and saw his No. 51 retired by the organization. Suzuki was one vote away from being the second-ever unanimous selection in baseball history.
At Suzuki's number retirement ceremony, he was joined on the field by fellow Seattle HOF inductees Ken Griffey Jr. and designated hitter (and current senior director of hitting strategy) Edgar Martinez.
Suzuki also told the current Mariners team to "seize the moment," which became the rallying cry for the team that was one game away from winning its first-ever American League pennant.
Suzuki, Griffey and Martinez could also soon be joined in Cooperstown by arguably the greatest starting pitcher in team history.
Felix Hernandez is on the Hall of Fame ballot of the second time. He was on the ballot with Suzuki last year but only earned 20.6% of the vote.
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This year, Hernandez seems to be earning more support among Hall of Fame voters.
As of 5 p.m. PT on Dec. 30, over 100 ballots have been submitted. A former player needs 75% of the vote to be elected to the Hall of Fame.
Currently, the only two players slated to be inducted are Carlos Beltran (86.1%) and Andruw Jones (81.2%). Hernandez has received the fourth-most votes on the ballot (58.4%).
Chase Utley (63.4%) is above Hernandez, alongside Beltran and Jones.
Hernandez spent his entire majorly league career with Seattle from 2005-19. He was a six-time All-Star (2009, '11-15), American League Cy Young winner ('10), led the MLB in wins ('09) and led the AL in strikeouts twice ('10, '14).
Hernandez holds the Mariners' all-time career records in strikeouts (2,524), ERA (3.42), Baseball Reference WAR (49.9), wins (169) and innings pitched (2,729.2).
Hernandez is also responsible for the only perfect game in Seattle history, which came against the then-Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Aug. 15, 2012.
Hernandez fanned 12 batters in 113 pitches in his perfect game. The Mariners won 1-0.
"King Felix" is one of the greatest pitchers of his era and one of the best players in Seattle history.
Barring a massive jump in the votes, Hernandez likely won't find his way in the Hall of Fame in 2026. However, he'll likely find his way back on the ballot in 2027. If he's able to have a similar jump next year that he has had this year, he could join fellow M's legends in Cooperstown.
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