Félix Hernández Makes Historic Leap in Hall of Fame Voting - and the Case for His Greatness is Only Growing
Félix Hernández is climbing - fast.
The longtime Seattle Mariners ace just made the biggest single-year leap in Hall of Fame voting since at least 1967, according to tracking data released Tuesday night. After pulling in 27.9% of the vote last year, Hernández surged to 46.1% this time around. That’s not just progress - that’s a statement.
The jump, tracked by Hall of Fame ballot expert Ryan Thibodaux, marks an unprecedented rise in support for a player many believe redefined dominance during his prime. It takes 75% to earn a plaque in Cooperstown, but Hernández is clearly moving in the right direction - and quickly.
He wasn’t the only one gaining ground this year. Andy Pettitte and Chase Utley also saw big spikes in voter support, but it’s Hernández’s leap that stands out - not just because of the numbers, but because of what they represent: a growing appreciation for peak greatness.
And make no mistake, Félix was peak greatness.
He’s the kind of pitcher who didn’t just rack up stats - he owned the mound. A six-time All-Star, Hernández won the AL Cy Young Award in 2010 and led the league in ERA twice.
He finished his career with 169 wins, a 3.42 ERA, and 2,524 strikeouts across 2,279.2 innings. He never pitched past age 33, but when he was healthy and at his best, there were few better.
That’s the heart of the debate - longevity versus dominance. Hernández didn’t have the 20-year career some Hall of Famers boast, but what he did have was a stretch where he was arguably the best pitcher in baseball. And voters are starting to treat that peak with the respect it deserves.
His numbers don’t just hold up - they shine, especially when you consider the context. He spent most of his career pitching for Mariners teams that struggled to give him run support, yet he still managed to post elite numbers. He wasn’t chasing wins - he was chasing excellence every fifth day.
Now, with momentum building and the Hall of Fame conversation evolving, Hernández is suddenly looking like a legitimate candidate to reach Cooperstown. He’s not there yet - 75% is still a ways off - but this year’s jump is more than just encouraging. It’s historic.
If voters continue to reward dominance over durability, Félix Hernández could soon find himself where many believe he belongs - enshrined among the game’s all-time greats.