King of swing? Mariners let Felix loose in BP

SEATTLE — Felix Hernandez loves pitching. But you want to see the King having fun? Get a chance to see him take batting practice in preparation for upcoming Interleague Play.

For the past two years, former Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon didn’t let his pitchers take BP, preferring they just work on their bunting in the hitting cages.

But new skipper Scott Servais had several of his starters hitting against pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr. on Tuesday afternoon at a sun-drenched Safeco Field, and Hernandez was soaking up the chance to swing away.

Is there anything that makes him happier than swinging a bat?

“Hmmm,” pondered the King. “I love taking BP. Just being around my family makes me happier than taking BP.”

Like most Major League pitchers, Hernandez fancies himself a decent hitter, if just given the chance. Or if given the chance to tell you. Hernandez has a .108 career average (4-for-37) and hasn’t had a hit since 2012, but he’s still living off the grand slam he launched off the Mets’ Johan Santana in 2008 at Shea Stadium.

“Yeah, we all know Felix hit a grand slam,” Servais said with a chuckle. “That’s part of his deal. It’s ‘Hi, I’m Felix Hernandez. Did you know I hit a home run?’ That’s kind of how our introductions went.”

Servais does believe there’s value in letting his …

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