Mariners notebook: Felix becomes and American citizen
Published 1:30 am Monday, September 24, 2018
Herald wire services
Felix Hernandez routinely performs his craft in front of tens of thousands of people, but that doesn’t make the Seattle Mariners starting pitcher nervous.
But passing the tests, including one in civics, to become an American citizen? Now that is a different story.
One with a happy ending.
Because at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Seattle on Monday afternoon, Hernandez was one of 75 individuals from 34 countries to become American citizens.
Hernandez, the first of 75 people to be announced, drew the loudest cheers as there had been whispers throughout the auditorium that pitching royalty was among the group of new Americans.
“It means a lot,” Hernandez said. “Now, I am proud to be an American. Just happy, and so proud to be an American.”
But there were anxious moments on Monday for Hernandez.
“I was nervous. I was nervous,” he said. “The first test I would have passed — but I didn’t study at all. I was prepared for this one, but I was still nervous, and now I am happy to be an American.”
Hernandez’s wife, Sandra, became an American citizen a month ago. She passed the test on her first try.
“I was a little pissed,” Hernandez said of her passing and him not. “I think I only got one right.”
No such problems this time.
Hernandez is from Venezuela, which is under political and economic strife, and he said becoming an American citizen was something he has thought about for long time.
“We live here, so why not?” said Hernandez, who said he had a green card for the past five years. “This country has given me everything. Just to be loyal to the United States.”
Next month, Mariners designated hitter Nelson Cruz is hoping to complete the process of becoming an American citizen. He will then understand the joy Hernandez is feeling.
“I love Seattle, and being an American here is amazing,” Hernandez said.
Mariners switch Low-A affiliates
For the first time in franchise history, the Mariners will be playing baseball in the historic “The Sally League.” On Monday, the franchise announced it had reached a player development with the West Virginia Power in the South Atlantic League for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
The Power will replace the Clinton LumberKings as the Mariners’ Low-A affiliate.
“We are ecstatic to partner with the West Virginia Power,” Mariners director of player development Andy McKay said in a statement. “Our conversations with their leadership team immediately revealed that we have similar values and priorities. As with all of our affiliates, we will work to put the best possible product on the field with the goal of winning baseball games and playing meaningful games late in the season. Off of the field, we look forward to our community service responsibilities and will always value the relationships we will build with the fans.”
Seattle spent the last 10 seasons in the Midwest League with Clinton. Prior to that, the Mariners had agreements with other teams in the Midwest League, dating back to 1981.
This will be the seventh different affiliate change for the Power, which is based in Charleston, West Virginia and plays their home games at Appalachian Power Park. The Pirates were the most recent parent club from 2009-2018.
“Joining the Seattle Mariners family is an exciting moment for our franchise,” Power executive vice President Ken Fogel said in a statement. “The Mariners boast a minor league system filled with talent that we cannot wait to showcase at Appalachian Power Park throughout 2019 and beyond. While we are grateful for the 10 years spent under the Pirates umbrella, we are excited to share this new opportunity with the city of Charleston and the surrounding fan base. We are confident that our partnership with the Mariners will bring unbridled success both on the field and in the community.”
The Mariners currently have player development contracts for all seven of their minor league affiliates for the 2019 season: AAA Tacoma Rainiers in the Pacific Coast League, AA Arkansas in the Texas League, High-A Modesto in the California League, Low-A West Virginia in the South Atlantic League, Short-A Everett in the Northwest League, Rookie Arizona League Mariners and Rookie Dominican Summer League Mariners.
