Félix Hernández, or "King Felix" to Mariners fans, became a U.S. citizen Monday afternoon.
Hernández, a native of Venezuela, passed his citizenship test Monday morning, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. He was among 74 people from 36 countries who became naturalized U.S. citizens during a ceremony in downtown Seattle.
Sandra Hernández, Félix’s wife, became a U.S. citizen a month ago, but Hernandez didn't pass his test that day.
Hernández made his major league debut with the Seattle Mariners in 2005. Since then, he's stayed in headlines setting records.
In 2012, Hernández pitched a perfect game, the first in Mariners' history and last player to do so in MLB.
Hernández was asked how this compares to that game after the ceremony.
"This is tougher than what I do," he laughed. "I don't get nervous when I'm pitching."
He added Seattle was the only place he would want to have the naturalization ceremony.
"I love the city, love Seattle," Hernández said. "Becoming an American here is amazing."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
