Keith Hernandez
A 42nd round draft pick by the Cardinals, Keith Hernandez emerged as one of the best first basemen in the game during the late 1970s and 1980s. From his first day in the major leagues, Hernandez was a first-class defensive player, exhibiting great range to his right and a sure pair of hands at first. But it took him a few years to hone his offensive skills. In 1979, the left-handed swinger won a share of the NL Most Valuable Player Award when he topped 200 hits, 100 runs scored, 100 RBI, hit .344, and stroked 48 doubles. He never had another offensive season quite like that, but he was a solid offensive performer and a clutch RBI guy, hitting .315 with menon base and .357 with the bases loaded in his career. He was a key cog in the Mets World Championship team in 1986, and he won 11 consecutive Gold Glove Awards. He also set records for most times leading his league in double plays, and no other first baseman in history ever recorded as many assists as Hernandez. Though he wasn't a power hitter, he fashioned a .296 career average and routinely finished among league leaders in walks and doubles.
Played For
St. Louis Cardinals (1974-1983)
New York Mets (1983-1989)
Cleveland Indians (1990)
All-Time Rankings
Keith Hernandez ranks #30 among the Top 50 all-time at 1B. Rankings ⇒
Born
Keith Hernandez was born on October 20, 1953, in San Francisco, CA.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
Primary Position: 1B
Primary Team: SLN
College: San Mateo
Major League Debut
August 30, 1974
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1974
Robin Yount
Gary Carter
Jim Rice
Keith Hernandez
Fred Lynn
Jim Sundberg
Kent Tekulve
Dennis Leonard
John Montefusco
Nicknames
Mex
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1996 |
BBWAA |
24 |
5.1% |
1997 |
BBWAA |
45 |
9.5% |
1998 |
BBWAA |
51 |
10.8% |
1999 |
BBWAA |
34 |
6.8% |
2000 |
BBWAA |
52 |
10.4% |
2001 |
BBWAA |
41 |
8.0% |
2002 |
BBWAA |
29 |
6.1% |
2003 |
BBWAA |
30 |
6.0% |
2004 |
BBWAA |
22 |
4.3% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1982 National League Championship Series
1982 World Series
1986 National League Championship Series
1986 World Series
1988 National League Championship Series
Awards and Honors
1978 NL Gold Glove
1979 NL Gold Glove
1979 NL MVP
1980 NL Gold Glove
1981 NL Gold Glove
1982 NL Gold Glove
1983 NL Gold Glove
1984 NL Gold Glove
1985 NL Gold Glove
1986 NL Gold Glove
1987 NL Gold Glove
1988 NL Gold Glove
Batting Feats
All-Star Selections
1979 NL
1980 NL
1984 NL
1986 NL
1987 NL
Learn More about Keith Hernandez
Search Amazon.com for Books about Keith Hernandez ⇒
Search for Keith Hernandez at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
