Opening Day. It is a wonderful day on its own made more wonderful by the inclusion of Felix Hernandez. Officially named the Opening Day starter for the fourth time, Felix will move into a tie with Jamie Moyer for second place on the list of Mariners pitchers most often bestowed this honor.
Behind Moyer and now Felix lie Freddy Garcia, Mark Langston, Mike Moore, Glenn Abbott who all made three inaugural starts and Jeff Fassero who made two. Nobody else has so far repeated.
Felix shows no sign of stopping or of being usurped from his title of King of the rotation however. And since he is signed through at least the 2014 season, that year could mark his seventh such time opening the season. Doing so will put him into first place, passing Randy Johnson who made six Opening Day starts with Seattle. Hopefully it is just the first of many Randy Johnson stats that Felix passes in a Mariner uniform.