Felix Hernandez Biography Facts, Childhood, Net Worth, Life

Felix Hernandez Biography Facts, Childhood, Net Worth, Life
Felix Hernandez – Biography, Childhood, Career, Accomplishments & Awards. (Image credit: AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Félix Hernández is a Venezuelan baseball player who plays as a pitcher for Major League Baseball (MLB) team, the Atlanta Braves. Since he came into the MLB spotlight in 2005, Hernández has fast risen to become one of the most recognized and successful pitchers in the MLB. His pitching abilities have earned him the admiration of fans as he is a fan favourite. In this Felix Hernandez biography facts, childhood, net worth and personal life, we review the life and profile of the top athlete who will mark his 15th year in the MLB in August 2020.

Felix Hernandez Biography Facts, Age, Info

  • Full Name: Félix Abraham Graham Hernández García
  • Nickname: King Félix
  • Born: April 8, 1986
  • Age: 37 years old
  • Place of Birth: Valencia, Venezuela
  • Nationality: Venezuelan
  • Occupation: Baseball Player
  • League: MLB
  • MBL Debut: Seattle Mariners (August 4, 2005)
  • Current Team: Atlanta Braves
  • Position: Pitcher
  • Jersey Number: #34
  • Bats: Right-handed
  • Throws: Right
  • Net Worth: $100 million
  • Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91m)
  • Weight: 102 kg (225 Ibs)
  • Parents:
    • Father: Félix Hernandez Sr.
    • Mother: Mirian Hernandez
  • Siblings: Moises Alexander Hernandez (brother)
  • Children:
    • Son: Jeremy Hernández
    • Daughter: Mia Hernández
  • Partner: Sandra Hernandez
  • Zodiac Sign: Aries 

Felix Hernandez Childhood/Early Life & Family Background

Felix Hernandez was born on the 8th of April 1986 in Valencia, in Venezuela to his father, Felix Hernandez Sr., who managed a trucking Enterprise which he owned, and Mirian Hernandez, his mother.

Though much information is not known about Felix Hernández’s childhood, it is safe to say Hernández showed really good promise in baseball at a very young age. Hernandez often played in local baseball tournaments as a pitcher. In one of such tournaments, part-time Seattle Mariners scout, Luis Fuenmayor, noticed his impressive pitching abilities. He was stunned by Hernandez’s abilities that he introduced Hernandez to Emilio Carrasquel and Pedro Avila who were also scouts.

Several MLB teams offered very lucrative contracts to young Hernandez as a result of his impressive pitching skills. The Seattle Mariners who competed with top MLB franchises such as the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets offered Hernandez his first professional contract with a signing bonus worth $710,000 after he graduated from high school. Though the Mariners didn’t offer the most money to Hernandez, Mariners scouts who had a close relationship with Hernandez father and family gained their trust and were thus able to sign Hernandez.

Felix Hernandez Minor League Baseball Career Highlights

Following his signing in 2002, Hernandez began playing in minor leagues for the Seattle Mariners in 2003. He played really well in his first year. In his second year of playing in the minor league, his performance earned him a place in the Futures games and he also won the 2004 Seattle Mariners minor league pitcher of the year. His performance in the past two years in the minor league brought him attention. Baseball America rated him the overall second prospect and the top pitching prospect in the minor league. He played in the Pacific Coast League for the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. At the end of the season, he received the PCL Pitcher of the Year and the PCL Rookie of the Year awards. His nickname ‘King Felix‘ originates from his minor league exploits and stuck through his career.

Felix Hernandez MLB Career, Achievements & Awards

Seattle Mariners (2005–2019)

Following his recovery from injury which prevented him from playing in the Triple-A All-Star Game, he debuted in the MLB on August 2005. He thus became the youngest pitcher to debut in the MLB since 1984. He continued in top form in the MLB. At the end of the season, he switched jersey number from 59 to 34. Prior to the start of the 2006 season, Hernandez had shin splints which he recovered from in time. That season, Hernandez had 191 innings in the regular season, which was the most for a Seattle Mariner player. His fastball which moved at 95.2 mph was the fastest for MLB starters.

In the 2007 season, Hernandez once again returned in top form. At the end of the season, the fastball which averaged 95.6 mph was once again for the second successive time, the fastest for MLB starters. Hernandez secured his first home run and a grand slam in the MLB in the 2008 season. He thus became the first pitcher from the American League to hit a grand slam since 1971. His home run was also the first home run hit by a Seattle Mariner player. For the third consecutive season, he had the fastest fastball for MLB starters which averaged 94.6 mph.

In the 2009 season, he signed a one-year contract extension worth $3.8 million. Hernandez stepped up his performance. He received the June American League Pitcher of the Month award. He was also named to the All-star game in 2009. He was shortlisted for the American League Cy Young Award but finished in second place. In January 2010, he agreed to a 5-year contract with the Seattle Mariners worth $78 million. In August 2010, he recorded his 1000th strikeout, which made him the third-youngest player to reach the feat since 1932 and the fourth youngest in the MLB to reach the feat. Though his performance that season was not as exceptional as the previous season, he won the 2010 AL Cy Young Award. At the end of the season, Hernandez received the Sporting News AL Pitcher of the Year and Baseball Prospectus Internet Baseball Awards.

In the 2011 season, he was named to the All-star game for the second time. He also recorded more than 200 strikeouts for the third successive season. In the 2012 season, he was again in top form and earned a place in the All-star game. In August 2012, he had the first perfect game in the history of the Seattle Mariner. In February 2013, his impressive performance was rewarded with a 7- year deal worth $175 million. He went on to have a good season, which included his naming to the 4th All-star game of his career. He played as a starter in the All-star game in 2014. He then went on to clinch his second AL ERA title after he ended his campaign with an ERA of 2.14. He also finished in the runner-up spot in the AL Cy Young Award.

Once again in the 2015 season, Hernandez was named to his sixth All-star game. He ended his season with an ERA of 3.53, the lowest he has ever had since the 2008 season. He also had less than 200 strikeouts for the first time since 2009. In the 2016 season, Hernandez did not earn All-star honour but went on to become the Seattle Mariner player with the most strikeouts. In June 2016, he was added to the disabled list after he sustained a strain in his right calf.

Photo of Seattle Mariners' Felix Hernandez
Seattle Mariners’ starting pitcher, Felix Hernandez in action in a game against the New York Yankees on 6 May 2019. (Image credit: AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Hernandez’s 2017 season was blighted by injuries. A shoulder injury he suffered in April 2017 ruled him out of action for two months. In August 2017, he was placed on the disabled list after he suffered biceps tendinitis. In the 2018 season, he struggled with injuries again. In September 2018, he played in his final game for the Mariners. In October 2019, he became a free agent. 

Atlanta Braves (2020–date)

In January 2020, Hernandez agreed to a deal with the Atlanta Braves to play in the minor leagues for $1 million.

Felix Hernandez Net Worth, Salary & Endorsement

Hernandez’s net worth is estimated to be between $90 to $100 million. His new deal with the Atlanta Braves will bring in an annual salary of more than $1 million. He has endorsement deals with Nike, Topps and Panini. 

Felix Hernandez Personal Life

Photo of Felix Hernandez with Sandra Hernandez
Felix Hernandez with his wife, Sandra Hernandez in 2018. (Image credit: Courtesy of Felix Hernandez)

Hernandez is married to Sandra Hernandez who is the mother of his two children. He lives in Clyde Hill with his family.

His relatives and close family refer to him as Abraham.

He became a naturalized US citizen in 2018.

A section of the stadium where Hernandez starts a game is meant specifically for fans cheering Hernandez. The section which was created in May 2011 and thus began to expand is nicknamed King’s Court and is sold at a discounted price with T-shirt referred to as a ‘King Felix’ shirt.

In October 2013, fellow baseball player, Carlos Peguero’s wife was charged with Wire fraud after she bought items worth $180,000 with a credit card that belongs to Hernandez’s wife. Carlos Peguero was not involved in the lawsuit.

SEE MORE: Biography facts and profile of famous baseball/MLB athletes.


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