Félix Hernández, the celebrated pitcher who defined an era of Seattle Mariners baseball, has taken a significant stride toward baseball immortality. In his second appearance on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America ballot, the Venezuelan star captured 46.1 percent of the vote, more than doubling his support from last year’s 20.6 percent debut. This dramatic surge positions him as a serious contender for eventual induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, though he still faces a challenging climb toward the required 75 percent threshold.
The voting results, announced Tuesday, reveal a compelling narrative of growing appreciation for Hernández’s career achievements. While he fell short of the 75 percent needed for automatic induction this year, the 25.5 percentage point jump represents one of the largest year-over-year increases on the ballot. This momentum suggests that baseball writers are increasingly recognizing the Hall of Fame caliber of his peak performance, despite a career that ended prematurely due to injuries.
Hernández’s journey to Cooperstown consideration began when he debuted with Seattle as a teenager in 2005. Over 15 seasons, all with the Mariners, he evolved from a promising young arm into one of the most dominant starters of his generation. His nickname, “King Félix,” became synonymous with excellence on the mound, as he consistently delivered performances that thrilled the Pacific Northwest and intimidated American League hitters.
The peak of Hernández’s career spanned from 2009 to 2015, a seven-year stretch that forms the foundation of his Hall of Fame argument. During this period, he earned six American League All-Star selections and accumulated a remarkable 38.0 pitching WAR, a figure that trailed only Clayton Kershaw’s 46.6 among all pitchers. This “seven-year peak WAR” metric is crucial for Hall of Fame evaluation, as it demonstrates sustained excellence at the highest level.
Individual season highlights from this era further strengthen his case. In 2009, Hernández posted a stellar 19-5 record with a 2.49 ERA across 238 2/3 innings, establishing himself as an elite workhorse. The following season, he captured the AL Cy Young Award despite winning just 13 games, a testament to his dominance in an era when pitcher wins were beginning to lose their luster as a meaningful statistic. That 2010 campaign saw him lead the league with a 2.27 ERA while tossing 249 2/3 innings and completing six games—a level of durability rarely seen in modern baseball.
Hernández’s mastery continued in 2014 when he captured another ERA title, and his streak of eight consecutive seasons with 200+ innings pitched from 2008-15 demonstrated remarkable consistency and durability. These numbers reflect a pitcher who not only dominated but shouldered a heavy workload, a combination that historically resonates with Hall of Fame voters.
No discussion of Hernández’s legacy is complete without his signature achievement: the perfect game. On August 15, 2012, he etched his name into baseball history by throwing the 23rd perfect game ever recorded, blanking the Tampa Bay Rays in Seattle. This masterpiece remains the only perfect game in Mariners franchise history and stands as a defining moment for both the pitcher and the organization. The rarity of such a feat—only one has been thrown in the majors since, by Domingo Germán of the Yankees in 2023—underscores its significance in Hernández’s Hall of Fame narrative.
What makes Hernández’s story particularly compelling is his loyalty to a single franchise. After signing with Seattle as a 16-year-old from Venezuela, he never appeared in a regular season game for any other team. While he spent time in the Braves’ and Orioles’ organizations toward the end of his career, his identity is forever intertwined with the Mariners. This one-franchise legacy resonates with traditional Hall of Fame voters who value the connection between a player and his team’s history.
However, Hernández’s candidacy faces obstacles. Injuries derailed his career after his age-30 season, leaving his counting statistics—wins, strikeouts, innings—below typical Hall of Fame thresholds. His final years were spent battling arm problems rather than adding to his legacy, a reality that has likely given some voters pause. The modern evaluation of pitchers, though, increasingly focuses on peak performance rather than career longevity, a shift that benefits Hernández.
The voting trajectory of other recent inductees offers hope for Hernández’s chances. Many players have started with modest support and gradually built toward the 75 percent mark over several years on the ballot. His dramatic jump from year one to year two mirrors the paths of other eventual inductees who benefited from sustained campaigning and evolving statistical analysis.
Looking ahead, Hernández has eight more years of eligibility to build his case. The 2026 ballot will feature several strong candidates, but his momentum suggests he could continue gaining support. As younger voters who prioritize advanced metrics like WAR and ERA+ replace older voters, his peak dominance may receive even greater appreciation. The fact that he pitched his entire prime in the hitter-friendly American League West during the offensive explosion of the 2000s and 2010s only enhances his statistical profile.
The Hall of Fame debate surrounding Hernández ultimately centers on a fundamental question: Should a player with a brilliant but relatively brief prime be enshrined alongside those with longer careers? His supporters argue that his seven-year peak was as dominant as any pitcher of his era, and the perfect game provides an iconic moment that transcends statistics. Critics point to his relatively modest career totals and early decline.
What’s undeniable is that Hernández’s 46.1 percent showing represents a vote of confidence from the baseball writing community. The significant increase suggests that many voters are taking a deeper look at his career and recognizing the Hall of Fame quality of his best seasons. With each passing year, his legend grows, and his case strengthens.
As the Mariners continue building toward their own championship aspirations, the legacy of King Félix serves as a reminder of the franchise’s rich history. His potential Hall of Fame induction would not only honor a remarkable career but also validate the passion of Seattle baseball fans who witnessed his greatness firsthand. For now, the baseball world waits to see if this year’s momentum will carry him to Cooperstown immortality.