Keith Hernandez joined the Mets in June 1983 through a major trade from St. Louis, a deal that significantly impacted both teams. After Whitey Herzog, Cardinals manager, famously called him a clubhouse cancer, Hernandez, the 1979 NL MVP and 1982 World Series winner, found himself relegated to a struggling New York team. This was a pivotal moment for both the player and the franchise, yet Hernandez still had plenty of energy and skill left.
Hernandez discarded the negative labels, took on the role of clubhouse leader, and became the first official team captain in Mets history. He served as the strategic mind and emotional core of the legendary 1986 championship team, demonstrating exceptional situational hitting and leadership that helped the team achieve 108 regular-season wins and win the Fall Classic. Although he didn't win a second MVP award in New York, his influence was widely acknowledged by his peers; he was the MVP runner-up in 1984 and achieved two more top-ten finishes while playing in Queens.
At the plate, Hernandez was an extremely skilled pure hitter, combining a disciplined approach with an elite ability to hit to all fields. He demonstrated remarkable consistency by batting over .300 four times for the Mets and achieved an impressive on-base percentage above .400 in three different seasons. Defensively, he reached a level of excellence that still sets the standard for the position. He played first base with a fierce, high-energy style, aggressively charging bunts and diving to cut off throws like an extra infielder, earning him six consecutive Gold Glove Awards as a Met.
After the 1989 season, Hernandez left via free agency to play one final season in Cleveland. Oh, and he was in a Seinfeld episode. Basically, we are saying this is a New York City icon.
As a Met, he had 939 hits, 80 homers, and batted .297. The team selected Hernandez for its Hall of Fame in 1997
Comments powered by CComment