Crown Finally Fits for Seattle's King Felix

NEW YORK – Don Wakamatsu spent seven years as a coach in the AL West before becoming manager of the Mariners.

So he had a pretty good idea about Felix Hernandez.

"I know in the past when I've coached against him, he'd coast it seemed like," Wakamatsu told FanHouse. "Or he'd rest. He'd pitch to certain hitters, or he'd pitch out of jams. But he hadn't been able to understand how to just keep the pressure on an opposing team. I think those are the things that you talk about that make a guy a champion."

Now it seems Hernandez has figured it out.

Over his past seven starts, Hernandez – scheduled to start Friday night at Boston – is 4-0 with a 0.85 ERA (38 hits allowed and 51 strikeouts in 51 innings).

That's the best ERA of any starter over the past six weeks, and he has the best opponents' OPS in the AL (.509) to boot.

An advance scout recently wondered how to phrase his report other than "we've got no chance."

"Ridiculous," the scout said. "Ninety-six [mph fastball], plus [above-average] life, down in the zone and three other good pitches."

The beginning of Hernandez's hot streak coincides (or maybe it isn't coincidence) with being called out by Wakamatsu.

"Maybe" that's the reason, Hernandez said. "It's been good."

"He hadn't been able to understand how to just keep the pressure on an opposing team. I think those are the things that you talk about that make a guy a champion."
-- Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu After Hernandez lost May 19 to the Angels, allowing six runs on 11 hits – and, significantly, four stoles bases – in 5 2/3 innings, Wakamatsu was fed up.

"Here's a guy that was anointed when he first came into the league because of potential – a guy that's kind of floated around and had some great games but never put it all together," Wakamatsu said.

"And the rest was getting him to understand how important his routine and a work ethic is and the little things that make a guy a superstar. And that's what upset me more than anything. And what we dialogued about was not so much about him coming and competing. It was more about him controlling the running game."

What separates very good pitchers from great ones isn't talent so much as details. And when Hernandez didn't hold runners close that day, it was time to remind him to pay attention to the little things.

Hernandez, still just 23, was reluctant to admit that Wakamatsu's words have factored in turning his season around. Hernandez said Wakamatsu was "just reminding me" of things and that he didn't need to hear some stern words.

"I think the key for me right now is just being aggressive, attacking the strike zone, getting ahead of the hitters," Hernandez said.

"It's more maturity, more confidence now."

Hernandez got to the majors in 2006 at a younger age than Ken Griffey Jr. and joined Dwight Gooden as the only teenagers since Bert Blyleven to have a 10-strikeout game.

So while he was great early on, he was also due to grow up.

While Hernandez was Seattle's Opening Day starter this year, it is just now that he has truly become the team's ace.

"We talked from day one in spring training," Wakamatsu said, "that if we were going to go anywhere this year, he was going to be the focal point, and he had to not only pitch well but he had to understand his leadership role on this club. And that's where maturity comes in.

"I think he never wanted to take that front role. Now he is that guy and is starting to understand he can be that guy and it's not as daunting as maybe he thought before."