We all know that certain players are exceptional, and in my book, one of those is Keith Hernandez. He played from 1974 to 1990 for the St. Louis Cardinals (1974-1983), the New York Mets (1983-1989), and the Cleveland Indians (1990). I firmly believe Hernandez should be in Baseball’s Hall of Fame.
Keith Hernandez is regarded as perhaps the greatest defensive first baseman of all time. But I believe he brought even more to the table.
When you think about first base, you think about power. Some of the greatest first basemen are Lou Gehrig and Albert Pujols. While Keith Hernandez was not a power hitter, he was a very productive run producer. He drove in more than 90 runs six times during his career. Hernandez was a line drive hitter who could hit the ball to all parts of the field. Some of his accolades include sharing the 1979 National League Most Valuable Player Award with Willie Stargell of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who is in the Baseball Hall of Fame (Class of 1988).
In 1979, Hernandez led the NL with a .344 batting average and led the NL in doubles (48) and runs scored (116). His on-base percentage was .417, which ranked second in the NL. He also had an outstanding season in 1980, leading the NL in runs scored (111) and on-base percentage (.408). He finished second in the NL in batting average (.321).
Great hitter! (photo, MLB)
Keith Hernandez was an integral part of the Cardinals’ 1982 championship. Despite winning it all the previous season, St. Louis decided to trade him in June 1983 to the Mets. He was not happy about it because the Mets had been finishing in last place consistently for years.
As it turned out, a change of scenery was just what Hernandez needed. In his first full season as a Met (1984), he delivered an MVP-caliber performance, which complemented his already stellar defense. He finished second to Ryan Sandberg in the NL MVP voting, driving in 94 runs, and the Mets became a contender, finishing second in the NL East.
Hernandez continued to excel over the next three seasons and was the unquestioned leader of a young and talented Mets team that included Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden. Hernandez helped the Mets capture the championship in 1986, in a year where he led the NL in walks (94).
Some voters of the Hall of Fame may say that Keith Hernandez does not have the overall offensive numbers to be considered a Hall of Famer. I would counter that by saying he dominated on defense by not allowing hitters to bunt towards him. Hernandez not only won 11 Gold Glove Awards, but won them consecutively from 1978 to 1988. In my mind, he is the Ozzie Smith of first base.
Hernandez hit .300 for his career (.296, to be exact), and he was a key member of two championship teams (1982 Cardinals, 1986 Mets). Hernandez helped the Mets become a great team in the mid-to-late 1980s, when NY finished either in 1st or 2nd place from 1984 to 1989. His career on-base percentage is excellent, too (.384), and he collected over 2,000 hits (2,182).
I have the utmost respect for Keith Hernandez, not only as a player but also as a broadcaster and a person. I recall one of my uncles telling me how great he was.
Hernandez is 71 years old today, and he has had a great second career as a TV analyst for Mets games on SNY and WPIX. I hope he gets the call to Cooperstown very soon. I regret that I never got to see him play in person.
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Published initially in Anthony’s blog.
