Earlier this week, Félix Hernández threw his final pitch as a Seattle Mariner in front of the largest King’s Court ever assembled. His edifying farewell reminded us that players have an impact beyond what they do on the field. Even with his best days in the rearview mirror, Hernández provided joy and distraction and inspiration, and thousands of people, clad in gold, waving a K in the air, came out to thank him, to say goodbye.
Contrast that to Tim Lincecum’s final pitch in a Giants uniform. In the second inning of late-June matchup against the Rockies, DJ LeMahieu hit Lincecum in his throwing arm with a comebacker.