Quique Hernandez was still groggy from anesthesia when he woke up after undergoing elbow surgery this offseason. So, I might not get all the details just right.
But, he recalled the surgeons telling him that his injuries were the most severe they had ever encountered.
Dr. Neil El-Atrache remarked, “I don’t know how you played.” That kind of shocked him.
Immediately, Hernandez began to think of how he could use that statement to his advantage.
He made a video call to Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ director of baseball operations, and asked El-Atrache to repeat his assessment.
Hernandez remembered telling Friedman, “I did this for you, so you better have me back.” It wasn’t really a threat per se, but you could feel the weight of the sentiment.
Now at 34, Hernandez has become a notable figure in the Dodgers’ storied history. He rejoined the lineup after the injured list on Monday, kicking off his ninth season during a series against the Colorado Rockies.
“I’m still the clown in the clubhouse,” he shared, perhaps with a grin.
Though initially he wasn’t taken too seriously, Hernandez knows how to grab attention, having once donned a full banana costume in the dugout to rally for a comeback.
However, it’s clear that his on-field performance has solidified his place on the team, particularly in critical moments.
Sure, he might be known for his whimsical antics, but it’s his postseason heroics that fans remember most.
Hernandez has delivered several unforgettable playoff performances—like that memorable triple against the Chicago Cubs in the 2017 NLCS, which pushed the Dodgers toward their first World Series in nearly three decades.
Or that pinch-hit home run that tied the game against the Atlanta Braves in the 2020 NLCS, effectively helping the Dodgers break their championship drought.
Whether it’s his standout moments against the San Diego Padres in a pivotal Game 5 or that critical double against the Toronto Blue Jays that sent last year’s World Series to a decisive seventh game, he has made an indelible mark.
Interestingly, during the playoffs, he seems like a player transformed. Despite a lackluster regular-season batting average of .236, he’s proven his worth in October time and again. After leaving the Dodgers post-2020 World Series in search of a full-time role, he found himself returning after a rocky stint with the Boston Red Sox.
Now, he has accumulated 16 postseason home runs, just shy of legendary names like Bryce Harper and Babe Ruth.
Last October wasn’t easy, though. An elbow issue sidelined him for nearly two months, and he aggravated the injury while diving for a ball in Game 3 of the NLCS.
“Every time I stepped into the batter’s box, it felt like someone lit a flame on my arm,” he reflected.
In his first eight games after the injury, he batted .379, but that dropped to .143 in the nine games that followed.
Nevertheless, he still managed to pull off memorable plays during the World Series, which the Dodgers clinched.
“He’s tough,” manager Dave Roberts commented. “No one understood how serious his injury truly was. He wasn’t going to sit out, pushing through the pain, which is what makes him unique.”
Hernandez underwent surgery to fix a torn tendon and muscle in his elbow, which meant he had to skip representing Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. He remarked that it affected him more emotionally than physically.
While he cherishes his legacy with the Dodgers, Hernandez conveys discomfort at pondering life beyond baseball. Yet, he acknowledges the leadership role he has as a veteran and a representative of the Latino community.
“These last few years have been especially challenging,” he said thoughtfully.
Last year, Hernandez was the only player to publicly oppose ICE raids happening in Los Angeles.
“I always say a year in baseball feels like seven years of life, especially with all the lessons learned,” he noted. “I love being here, being a Dodger, and embracing the trials of a baseball season.”
After spending three weeks on rehab in the minors, he expressed relief to be back with his team, ready to contribute once again.
