The Mariners have said goodbye to a number of stars over the years, some of which include Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson, Adrian Beltre and most recently Ichiro, when he was traded to the Yankees this season. While the Mariners have been battling through, losing season after losing season, one man has remained a steady ray of hope for the fans: Felix Hernandez.
Last Wednesday ended with Hernandez throwing his arms up in victory as he celebrated throwing the first perfect game in Mariners’ history. It’s the game every pitcher dreams of, nine innings, no hits and no walks.
Hernandez’s perfect game gave Mariners fans a reason to be proud during a decade that has been marred with losing seasons and missed opportunities. The one person who has been a constant light in the emerald city is King Felix. Since his debut in 2005, he’s been the M’s ace. He’s a three-time all-star and a Cy Young Award winner. He’s given all he’s had for Seattle, without a lot to show for it, given the Mariners haven’t made the postseason in his career.
The bottom line is that Hernandez deserves better. He’s a World Series caliber pitcher, but has never seen the mound in a postseason game, and that’s a shame. It’s even worse when you consider all the former Mariners who are going to other teams and having success in the playoffs, such as Rodriguez, Beltre and, in the near future, Ichiro. The Mariners have had the talent, but have failed to put it together in Seattle.
It has to be frustrating for Hernandez, but the future is looking brighter. The Mariners is young and talented and should stay together for a number of years. This is a team that could be playoff contenders in a few years, if they don’t dish out their roster to other teams, as has been their reputation
The Mariners fans deserve more and King Felix deserves more. The M’s have a chance now to develop a championship team. It may not come right away, but if this team stays and grows together, the wins will come. With young stars like Dustin Ackley, Jesus Montero and John Jaso, Seattle would be stupid not to give this team a shot. The M’s have solid pitching, a roster full of up-and-coming hitters and already the best defense in the league. It’s time to stop rebuilding and start playing for the present.
While Mariners fans wait for the year when they’ll once again see postseason play, they still have King Felix. He’s the face of constancy and hope. He’s young enough and good enough to win more Cy Young Awards and maybe more special games like Wednesday’s.
While all those accolades are great, hopefully at the end of his career he has more than that. Hopefully he’s not only the first Mariner to pitch a perfect game, but the man who leads Seattle to its first World Series. Anything less would be a great injustice to a great player.
Kevin Bingaman can be reached at [email protected]