Felix Isn’t Mad… Just Disappointed

After tying the worst start in franchise history through 15 games (1981), trade rumors were swirling around Felix Hernandez.  His struggles through his last three starts have been blamed on a so-called “frustration” with his teammates, culminating in a team meeting with Eric Wedge this weekend after his latest start.

While the Mariners had remained tight-lipped initially, one player finally addressed what happened during the closed-door session Monday morning on a condition of anonymity.

“Buster Olney’s way off on this one,” said the struggling anonymous Mariner who has only had two walks this season despite being lauded as a patient and pesky hitter.  “Felix isn’t mad at all, which is actually worse.”

Tears etching the corner of his eyes, the anonymous corner infielder continued.  “Wedgie had him (Felix) walk to the front of the room to tell us all how it felt to be let down like we did on Saturday.  When he got there, he opened his mouth, but couldn’t say anything.  He just sighed and sat back down.  It was like a knife in all our sides.”

“We all wish he would have yelled at us.  It would have been easier to take.  But when he just looks at you and you know you’ve lost his respect, that’s worse than anything.”

Felix was contacted by phone immediately after his teammate came forward, but didn’t have much to say.

“You love and support them and hope you’ve done right by them, and then this happens, and you don’t know what to say.  I’m disappointed, and I thought I raised them better than this, but you can only do so much as an ace.”

Photo courtesy gtn206.com