[71buc]

Been awhile since I’ve posted a pickup. This one is out of the ordinary for me but Felix Hernandez is far and away my favorite pitcher in Mariners history. Next month he will honored by the Mariners by being inducted in the Mariners Hall of Fame.

Randy “the Big Unit”was a Prima Dona and took his game to Arizona. He couldn’t perform for Seattle in his contract year because of a mysterious issue with his back. When he arrived in Arizona the heat, sunshine, and new contract miraculously healed him and just magically he was dominating hitters once again. King Felix stayed in Seattle out of love for the city, team, and fans. He gave the club a home town discount. Unfortunately the organization didn’t invest in the team as much as he invested his career in it. He was loyal and I fear he paid for it dearly. If he had followed Randy’s example packed his bags, chased the trophy paycheck,and won a ring he might have been attending an induction ceremony in Cooperstown rather than T-Mobile next month. Long live the King. I miss him. Anyway this photo appeared in ESPN the magazine. I lucked into an original print and was lucky enough to have it signed in this manner.

My good fried and pitching historian Scott Garner informed me that Randy to his talents to Houston prior to Arizona. I suppose my apathy for the Big Unit derailed my memory LOL!