Mariners News: King Felix Ties Randy Johnson on M’s All-Time K List

Apr 16, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) delivers a pitch agains the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) delivers a pitch agains the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
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Felix Hernandez tied Randy Johnson’s franchise record of 2,162 career strikeouts during Saturday’s win against the New York Yankees.

Felix Hernandez added to his already illustrious resume on Saturday afternoon against the the New York Yankees. King Felix tallied 4 punch outs to run his career total to 2,162 and tie Randy Johnson for top spot on the Seattle Mariners all-time strikeout list.

It’s hard to believe, but 2016 is King Felix’s 12th in the big leagues. Hernandez is one of the most loyal players in the game, and he plays with great enthusiasm. He has spent his entire career in the Emerald City, and he has a special relationship with the fans in Seattle. Felix stands right beside Ken Griffey Jr., Jay Buhner, Dan Wilson, Edgar Martinez, Ichiro and Johnson as the most beloved figures in franchise history.

The 30-year-old right-hander has pitched over 2,200 innings and started 337 games during his career with Seattle. He has pitched at least 190 innings in a single season 10 times, and he has tallied 200 innings in 8 consecutive years. Hernandez’s 3.10 career ERA is the best mark in franchise history for starting pitchers, and his 144 career victories are just 1 behind Jamie Moyer for first in franchise history. His 8.53 strikeouts per 9 innings are second in franchise history for a starter, and his 2.52 walks per 9 innings are 5th best. King Felix has allowed just 1.17 walks/hits per inning during his time in the Emerald City, good for 2nd in Mariners history.

The Mariners ace has represented Seattle at the All Star Game six times, and has finished in the top 4 in Cy Young voting four separate times. King Felix took home the Cy Young Award in 2010 when he was just 24 years old. Hernandez went 13-12 with a 2.27 ERA across 249.2 innings pitched. He pitched 6 complete games in ’10, and allowed a league low 7.0 hits per 9 innings.

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King Felix pitched the first perfect game in Mariners’ history on August 15, 2012 against the Tampa Bay Rays at Safeco Field in Seattle. Felix has no hit stuff every time he steps on the mound, and I would not be surprised if he hurls another perfect game this season in front of the rabid fans in King’s Court.

It is worth noting that it took Hernandez nearly 450 more innings to match the Big Unit’s strikeout tally. Hitters respect the King’s ability, but he does not intimidate them the same way Johnson did. However, there is little debate that King Felix will go down as the greatest hurler in M’s history.

Hernandez will soon hold all the pitching records in the Mariners book, but he is still waiting to make his postseason debut. Many anticipated that he would get his first taste of October baseball last season, but obviously things did not go according to plan. Felix has always been a clutch performer, and hopefully he gets a chance to impress on the national stage this fall.

Next: M’s Hold on to Win Third in a Row

Felix Hernandez has been the best thing about Mariners baseball for over a decade, and it is truly a treat to watch him pitch every fifth day. I believe the King will one day join Ken Griffey Jr. in Cooperstown, NY at the Baseball Hall of Fame.