Ranking the 30 MLB teams on my watch - Seattle Mariners #25 of 30

The Mariners always had the 'cool superstars' like Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez, Randy Johnson and Ichiro from the 1990's through the 2000's - Felix Hernandez sort of falls in line with those guys, but even though the Mariners play in the same division as the Angels, it's kind of sad how the Mariners don't have anyone but Hernandez as a true superstar.

Starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma emerged as an All-Star performer this past season but because he plays for a mediocre Mariners team - his excellent pitching has been obscured.

Featured cards: Hisashi Iwakuma Japanese cards

I've had these cards for a couple of years as my friend gave them to me in anticipation of the 2009 World Baseball Classic - now Iwakuma is trying to get to the major leagues after the Oakland Athletics won the bid to be able to negotiate a contract with Iwakuma for about 30 days.

Apparently other Japanese players are itching to join Iwakuma - looking to cross over into Major League Baseball and hopefully be paid well to have some success.