'Happiest man alive': Félix inducted into Mariners HOF

SEATTLE -- A sea of gold stretched across the expanse of T-Mobile Park on Saturday, a nostalgic reminder of yesteryear as the Mariners recognized one of the greatest pitchers of his era in front of the fans he adored so mightily.

This venue was home to the King’s Court for more than a decade, but it never looked like this. Nearly every seat on this sellout night featured fans clad in some semblance of the yellow shade that overtook the ballpark’s sections along the left-field and third-base lines on the days he pitched.

It was Félix Day all over again.

Félix Hernández was inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame in a special pregame ceremony that lasted 45 minutes and featured tributes from his HOF peers, former teammates such as Mitch Haniger, J.P. Crawford and Adrián Beltré -- who made a surprise appearance midway through the event -- and even one of his fiercest competitors in Mike Trout.

Hernández then delivered a five-minute speech that was mostly a ballad of gratitude to just about everyone who had an impact on his 15-year career, all spent in Seattle.

He thanked the organization; his former clubhouse attendants who were on hand; his parents, Félix Sr. and Mirian Hernández -- which led to a brief pause for tears -- along with the rest of his family; and finally, the more than 40,000 in attendance and the many watching from afar.

“And last, to the amazing Seattle fans and the King's Court, you are the greatest fans in the world,” Hernández said from the podium. “Thank you for all the support. I love you guys."

Hernández joined an exclusive group that includes 10 other members (in order of induction): Alvin Davis, Dave Niehaus, Jay Buhner, Edgar Martinez, Randy Johnson, Dan Wilson, Ken Griffey Jr., Lou Piniella, Jamie Moyer and Ichiro Suzuki, with all in attendance except Buhner, Johnson and Piniella.

Each member of that group paid tribute to Hernández in a presentation featured on the video board, with Ichiro’s homage generating the most laughs.

“Fifi ... according to the Mariners, after tomorrow’s giveaway, I will still have one more bobblehead than you,” Ichiro said.

During the ceremony, Hernández fittingly sat in a throne on the third-base side of the mound along with the rest of the Mariners Hall of Famers and Beltré, a former teammate who turned into an all-time “frenemy” in a hilariously fun rivalry.

“Adrián, you surprised me, bro,” Hernández said. “Thank you so much for being here. I love you.”

Saturday’s commemoration began with Hernández entering from the home bullpen to his walk-up song -- “The Man,” by Aloe Blacc -- as if he were making a start. As he paced through the left-field grass toward the infield, the waterworks were in full force, much like they were ahead of his final start on Sept. 26, 2019.

And before Hernández reached the podium, and his throne, he stepped on the mound’s rubber that he dominated over one more time while waving in a 360-degree turn.

“This is not easy for me,” the always emotional Hernández said. “I’m telling you, this is not easy. Pitching and being on that mound is way easier than this.”

He thanked the organization.

“You guys took a chance on me in 2002, playing out of Venezuela, just 16 years old -- and you stood by my side ever since,” Hernández said.

He thanked his teammates.

“It was a privilege to be on the field with all of you, the best in the game, my entire career,” Hernández said. “Your support helped me pitch to the best of my abilities year after year. The perfect game -- Aug. 15, 2012 -- does not happen without you guys, my teammates. Thank you.”

He then addressed the 2023 Mariners, all of whom were on the home dugout’s top rail.

“To my boys on the left, I watch you guys all the time,” Hernández said. “I’m rooting for you guys. Keep it going down the stretch. Let’s give Seattle a reason to party.”

But more than anything, he tied his presentation back to the fans.

“In closing, today you have made me the happiest man alive,” Hernández said. “It’s truly an honor. The Mariners, T-Mobile Park and Seattle will always be part of my heart and my home.”