Seattle’s Felix Hernandez throws 23rd perfect game in MLB history

By Chris Olds | Beckett Baseball Editor

King Felix looked rather royal against the Rays on Wednesday.

Felix Hernandez, the 26-year-old ace of the Seattle Mariners, was perfect through his first eight innings against Tampa Bay and blanked the Rays the rest of the way, too, for just the  23rd perfect game in MLB history and the third gem this season.

The win gave the eight-year veteran his 11th win of the season and a 96-72 career record — all with the Mariners. It was the sixth no-hitter (three of them perfect) recorded this season and the first perfect game in the 36-year history of the franchise.

On cardboard, Hernandez appears on 2,876 different cards valued at more than $21,700. (Need a checklist or an OPG? Click here.) None are more sought-after than his 2004 Bowman Chrome Gold Refractor, which is signed, limited to just 50 copies and typically sells for as much as $800.The most-recent sale of the card was a BGS 9 (with 10 auto) that sold for $1,049 on eBay last month.

While that key card is autographed, there are 518 other options for collectors who want a certified sig. Meanwhile, he has an unusually low number of memorabilia cards at 674. (Typically mem cards will  heavily outnumber autographs on a player’s resume.)

He has just eight Rookie Cards from 2004 with the standard version of his 2004 Bowman Chrome card checking in at $120. Only one other RC of his checks in at more than $15.

Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Baseball magazine. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an email to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.