King Felix

MARK HARRISON / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Felix Hernandez wins his 19th game of the season as Mariners down Rangers 4-3

A prolonged tip of his cap and wave to the fans in the seventh inning Sunday wasn't entirely the end of a dream season for Mariners ace Felix Hernandez.

Instead, the fun continued well after his 4-3 win over the Texas Rangers had been secured. Hernandez was in shorts in the clubhouse as the season finale ended, when he realized his Mariners had decided to take an impromptu victory lap around the field, thanking fans up close.

So he threw his clothes back on, sprinted out and was one of many players saluted by a Safeco Field crowd of 32,260 that remained in the stands by the thousands long after this 85-win season was officially in the books.

"It feels outstanding," Hernandez said of his season. "It's not about me. It's about this team. This is the most fun I've ever had in the big leagues."

Hernandez pitched two games for the Timber Rattlers in 2003 and he had a breakout season in 2009 for Seattle.

His 19-5 record and 2.49 earned run average have virtually assured him a top-three finish in the Cy Young Award voting. It also helped his team avoid the types of losing slumps that tend to make 85-win seasons highly unlikely.

I know that the smart money is on Zack Greinke for the AL Cy Young, but who knows?