Dodgers News: Kiké Hernández Uses Epic Quote to Describe Feeling in LA Clubhouse After NLDS
Los Angeles utility man Kiké Hernández created a postseason slogan without even trying during his postgame interview with Fox sideline reporter Ken Rosenthal after clinching a spot in the NLCS.
When Rosenthal asked him how the Dodgers were able to come back from being down 2-1 in the series to the San Diego Padres, Hernández said it was because of “the fact that we don’t give a f–.”
While Hernández got the fan base fired up, he quickly issued an apology on Saturday.
“Last night during my postgame interview, I was really fired up after an incredibly competitive series with the Padres,” Hernández told MLB.com. “I said something in a way that I deeply regret. I used a word on live television I should not have. I apologize if I offended anyone.”
After reflecting on the clip and realizing the significance of the moment and the wide audience it reached, Hernández wanted to express that he regretted his words.
On the field, Hernández’s second-inning home run against right-hander Yu Darvish turned out to be the game-winning run for the Dodgers. That was his 14th career postseason home run. He doesn’t yet have one in the NLCS.
Hernández, who was brought back to the Dodgers on a one-year, $4 million deal after being acquired at the trade deadline in 2023, has a career batting average of .238 and a .713 on-base-plus-slugging percentage over 11 seasons in the big leagues.
However, in 77 postseason games, he has performed significantly better, hitting .277 with an .890 OPS and 14 home runs, nine of which were with the Dodgers.
“We’re in Los Angeles with some of the greatest athletes of all time, and those great ones aren’t afraid to fail,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Everyone knows Kiké loves the spotlight. Some people love it. Some people run from it.
“When you’re talking about this market, the postseason, people in [his native] Puerto Rico watching him all over the country, that’s when he’s at his best. This guy always rises to the occasion. The reason we got him this year was to win 11 games in October.”
A pregame decision to trust his instincts rather than strictly adhere to the team’s scouting report played a role in his home run.
“I was talking to the hitting guys and I was like, ‘I think we gotta be on the fastball against Yu — he’s got way too many pitches to cover, and if you’re sitting off-speed, he’s got like five off-speed pitches,’ ” Hernández said. “They were pretty strongly disagreeing with me. I’m glad I proved them wrong.”
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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