Kiké Hernández

Kiké Hernández's Biography

Enrique José Hernández González, lovingly called Kike, was born on August 24, 1991, in Puerto Rico. The eldest son of Enrique Hernández Sr., a scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and Mónica González, owner of a boutique in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, Kike attributes much of his success to his supportive family. His mother was of Cuban descent, and he also has two younger sisters.

Kike discovered his passion for baseball at a young age, starting to play when he was only six years old. As a child, he participated in international youth tournaments in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, where his natural talent for baseball quickly became apparent. During his high school years at the American Military Academy in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, Kike had a significant growth spurt, growing five inches in his senior year.

In 2009, the Houston Astros recognized his talent and drafted Kike in the sixth round of the MLB draft. This early recognition of his talent was accompanied by a $150,000 signing bonus. Initially, Kike played primarily second base and third base, but his versatility soon became evident in 2010 when he played exclusively second base.

Kike achieved a significant milestone in his budding baseball career when he got called to play in the majors for the first time on July 1, 2014. His debut game was against the Seattle Mariners, during which he found quick success with two hits, including a ground-rule double. His first home run followed shortly the next day against the Mariners.

In a surprising trade in 2014, the Astros sent Kike along with two others to the Miami Marlins. Following this, Kike hit his first career grand slam in the major leagues. However, his stint with the Marlins was short-lived as he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in December 2014. From then on, Kike became a utility player for the Dodgers, playing several positions.

During his time with the Dodgers, Kike showed consistent improvement in his performance. In 2017, he hit three home runs in a postseason game, tying the record for most RBIs in a postseason game while sending the Dodgers to the World Series for the first time since 1988. Despite the Dodgers losing the World Series, Kike’s performance made him a household name in the baseball world.

In 2018, Kike experienced a critical moment in his career when he pitched in a game for the first time. Despite the loss, he became the first position player to give up a walk-off home run since Babe Ruth, a testament to his versatility on the field. After the season, he signed a one-year contract with the Dodgers for $1.6 million for 2018.

Over the years, Kike made several notable achievements, including hitting a career-high 21 home runs and 52 RBIs in 2018, and became the Dodgers’ primary starting center fielder in 2020. In the 2020 World Series, Kike’s two hits in 10 at-bats helped the Dodgers clinch the championship.

In 2021, Kike signed a two-year contract with the Boston Red Sox. Here, he played as Boston’s primary center fielder, and later as the Red Sox starting shortstop in 2023. However, he struggled with his position and led the majors with 14 errors, prompting manager Alex Cora to temporarily move him off the position.

In July 2023, Kike returned to the Dodgers, where he played 54 games throughout the rest of the year. In a heartfelt tribute to his contribution to the team, the Dodgers retired his old jersey number 14 in honor of Gil Hodges.

Throughout his illustrious career, Kike played for the Puerto Rico national baseball team in the World Baseball Classic in 2017 and 2023. He has represented his country in many international baseball tournaments, earning a silver medal in 2017.

Off the field, Kike married his wife, Mariana, in 2019, and they became parents to a daughter in January 2021. Despite the demands of a professional baseball career, Kike is dedicated to his family, maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Enrique Hernández, known as Kike, has left an indelible mark on Major League Baseball with his versatile gameplay, infectious sense of humor, and unwavering dedication to the sport. With his exceptional skills both on the infield and outfield, he continues to etch a remarkable legacy in the world of baseball. Whether it’s representing his team, his city, or his country, Kike has shown that he is not just a player; he is a vital part of the baseball community.