Re-Signing Kiké Hernandez is ‘Incredibly Important’ for Dodgers, Says ESPN Insider
Kiké Hernández is beloved by fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers for more than his athletic talents.
Hernández gravitates fans with his fun personality that brings a light-hearted feeling to the game. Despite expressing a strong desire to stay in Los Angeles, the Dodgers have yet to re-sign the free agent.
Keeping Hernández on the roster is “incredibly important,” according to ESPN’s Buster Olney.
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“The season is so long,” Olney said in an interview with Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain. “I think that if you’re a fan and you look at the players and you tune into one game and you imagine them having the same intensity that you did when you played little league, it’s not that way.”
Olney highlighted that the daily workload of an MLB player can be exhausting and lower team morale.
“This is their daily job and they go through ups and downs like the rest of us do where some days you’re really into it and some days you’re not really into it,” Olney said.
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But, having energetic players like Hernández in the clubhouse can boost the team’s spirits throughout the long season.
“And so to have personalities that bring energy to the park like Kiké, that’s incredibly important,” Olney said.
On the Dodgers’ team of superstars, Hernández might not be an everyday player. However, his contributions to team morale is crucial for the Dodgers’ success in the future.
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“I think you absolutely have to pick the right personalities for those spots at the end of your roster,” Olney said.
Hernández’s versatility around the field has caught the attention of several MLB teams. But, the World Series champion has made it clear Los Angeles is where he hopes to be in 2025.
Photo Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
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CT3, super utility man, can play several positions both infield and out. He’s fast, can steal bases, be a pinch runner, even bunt I think. Sadly, he hasn’t hit well since an All Star game a few years back. Bottom line…take Kike instead.
We need kike
I agree, you have to have team morale and Kike gives us that spark that ignites the whole ball club!, get Kike signed before some other team offers him a deal he can’t refuse!
YES!!! Make bringing Kiké back a PRIORITY. His intangibles are so important and priceless (almost)!!
It would be great if the Dodgers unloaded Taylor and re-signed Kike. Trade Taylor a prospect and $10M for a bag of practice balls and sign Kike for $5M.
Signing Kiké is a no brainer. The front office likely sees that and will get it done (hopefully).
Kike is must for the Dodgers. His talent, energy and love of the game makes everyone better!
I agree……kike’ should remain a Dodger. He’s a fan favorite and his hitting got much better when he had a readjustment made to his glasses that helped him to see the ball much better at the plate. He is a dependable all around fielder and is a joy to watch. I feel confident when he comes to bat in clutch situations. I am a Dodger fan from way back in the 50’s as a kid growing up in the Bronx! The Dodgers have always been my team! I was so happy when my family moved out here to Los Angeles in 1960. I would ride the bus as a teenager and go to Dodger games when they were playing at the Coliseum. I’ve been going to Dodger Stadium ever since. I couldn’t go in 1966……….I was over in Viet Nam as part of the BIG RED 1. I wish that on Veteran’s Appreciation Day the management at Dodger Stadium would designate a section and sell tickets in the designated section to veterans exclusively. That way all of us old vets can sit together and ham it up over our wartime and general military experiences. It would be great for all of us could and would be recognized as a group!
Thank you sir for your service and I started being a Dodger fan a little later then you around the Don Sutton Wes Parker Billy Grabarkiwitz member him!? I was born in 1958 so the late 60’s early 70’s when I became a Dodger fan!
I agree with you Mr. Harris. After Kike the had the re-adjustment to his glasses, he hit the cover off the ball. I don’t think that was a coincidence. And, yes, very dependable. His hustle in the 5-run fifth, made that inning continue in happen. I have also been a fan, but since the 60’s. I was born in 1958 in So Cal. I was able to watch the 65 & 66 series’….Koufax, Drysdale, Vinny…the rest is history.
I like your idea for Veterans Day Appreciation as well!
Go Dodgers!