Editor's note: The Stranger identified Seth Kolloen the best sportswriter you've never heard of for his work at seattlest.com. His columns appear occasionally in the P-I.

FELIX HERNANDEZ LOST a bunch of weight in the offseason, and everyone seems pretty psyched about it. Shin splints bothered him last season, and optimists expect that a slimmer Hernandez will be a better Hernandez.

I'm not psyched. I'm terrified. Hernandez's drastic weight loss may help his legs, but I'm losing sleep about what it might do to his arm. Ever hear of Edwin Nunez? You would have -- in fact, you might be deciding whether to draft him for your fantasy team -- if weight loss hadn't derailed his career.

Nunez was the Felix Hernandez of his generation. He was supposed to be the first great homegrown Mariners pitcher. He made his major league debut at 18 -- younger than Hernandez did. Like Hernandez, he tended to spin the scales -- a teammate nicknamed Nunez "Pequeno Oso" ("Little Bear" in Spanish).

(Random fact: In 1984, Nunez allowed Mike Hargrove's one and only major league grand slam.)

In 1985, Nunez's scale-tipping reached a tipping point. He reported to spring camp weighing 255 pounds.

"This is serious, it's very disappointing," manager Chuck Cottier fumed.

Here's what a disappointing, fat Nunez did in '85: Led the team in saves (16), ERA (3.09) and games pitched (70, fifth in the AL).

The Mariners thought Nunez could do even better if he slimmed down. The next spring, he came to camp weighing 15 pounds less than the year before. "Nunez fits nicely into M's bullpen now," punned this newspaper.

Here's what a trim Nunez did in '86: He got hurt. Over and over and over again.

On March 8, his groin. On March 24, his groin again. Nunez didn't throw his first 1986 pitch until April 30 (the day after Roger Clemens struck out 20 Mariners) -- and he strained his shoulder. Doctors later found nerve damage. He spent August pitching for Triple-A Calgary, and came back to the Mariners for the final month of the season. His 1986 totals: 21 2/3 innings, a 5.82 ERA and no saves.

Nunez never repeated his 1985 success. The Mariners traded him to the Mets in 1988, and Nunez began the journeyman reliever phase of his career, pitching for New York, Detroit, Milwaukee, Texas and Oakland. He retired in 1991 at 31.

He's not the only Mariner who has suffered from misguided weight watching. Bill Caudill's 1983 contract provided $5,000 in bonuses if he hit a target at twice-monthly weigh-ins. He kept his weight down, but his ERA supersized to 4.71, and he spent most of August on the disabled list.

Corpulence, though largely eradicated from the fields of modeling and television newscasting, doesn't disqualify one from mound success.

Cy Young carried 210 pounds on his 6-2 frame, and he's a synonym for pitching greatness.

Luis Tiant pitched into his 40s despite a generous physique.

David Wells, aka Boomer, has won 230 games, pitched in three World Series, thrown a perfect game. He's had the kind of career I can only hope Felix Hernandez will. In April, Wells will begin his 21st major league season. He is one week older than Edwin Nunez.