Félix Hernández had an epic night during his return to Seattle. The Mariners icon partook in the Legends and Celebrity Softball Game and made headlines on the ‘mound’ and at the plate.
Earlier in his career, he once hit a grand slam as a member of the Mariners. King Félix blasted the home run on the road against the New York Mets at old Shea Stadium on June 23, 2008. Incredibly, he did that against former ace and two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana.
On Saturday night, as the Mariners celebrated All-Star festivities, the King went deep again. But this time, long retired, Hernández homered in the Legends & Celebrity Softball Game.
Former Mariner outfielder Adam Jones dealt the pitch to the King, who took a big cut. Félix went deep with a laser to left-center field that cleared the wall.
Félix will always be King in this ballpark. #CelebSoftball
(MLB x @coronausa) pic.twitter.com/OJXHcXUenm
— MLB (@MLB) July 9, 2023
Hernández rounded the bases, all smiles, and was met at home plate by several of his softball teammates who celebrated with him.
The round-tripper gained attention online as it went viral on Twitter. But that wasn’t all! King Félix also turned back the clock and dealt a strikeout during the game.
It was great to see a King Félix K once again. #CelebSoftball
(MLB x @coronausa) pic.twitter.com/YehsshPWqF
— MLB (@MLB) July 9, 2023
Hernández’s strikeout also went viral as the Mariner legend had himself a night. It was great in many ways, as he was a beloved figure for so long in Seattle during his career.
Adam Jones 🤝 Johan Santana
HR allowed to King Félix
BASEBALL IS THE BEST https://t.co/cx4pK8noJP
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) July 9, 2023
Wild to think that King Felix is playing in a celebrity All Star game and not on the mound pitching still… My absolute favorite pitcher growing up. I felt like he was destined to wear a Red Sox uniform. https://t.co/Dmo2T0BJd5
— John LeClair (@JLeClair_) July 9, 2023
Who had “Felix Hernandez hits a home run off Adam Jones” on their baseball Bingo card? https://t.co/NSLykH5RPe
— Theresa (@GertieTheDino) July 9, 2023
All hail the King 👑 #truetotheblue #SeaUsRise https://t.co/mD3THgr2lo
— DeckDogg (@425digs) July 9, 2023
ngl this is making me concerned about Bobby Wagner’s ability to cover the middle of the field https://t.co/dE7yE04OEx
— Cool Hand Luka (@coolhandluka_) July 9, 2023
[MLB]
About Chris Novak
Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022