Kiké Hernández, who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers, discovered a significant new passion during a tough period when he was sidelined from baseball due to injury.
Over the last couple of seasons, he has spent considerable time on the injured list, trading the excitement of a major league season for the quieter, often lonely atmosphere of rehab sessions and hours of solitude. In this unexpected downtime, Hernández came to a realization: baseball had dominated his life to the extent that he hadn’t really engaged in any other hobbies.
“Honestly, the IL is very boring and lonely,” Hernández shared in an interview at the Harold & Carole Pump Foundation Anniversary Dinner. “I’ve spent a lot of time on it the last two years.”
Rather than picking up a more common pastime like pickleball or baking, he decided to immerse himself in collecting Pokémon cards.
Hernández revealed that he had been a fan of Pokémon cards since childhood, so it was exciting for him to revisit the hobby as an adult. The very first pack he opened transported him back in time, reminding him of his younger self.
“The smell, the sensation of ripping a pack, all these things,” he recalled. “It made me feel like a kid.”
What began as a diversion during a challenging time grew even more fulfilling when his 5-year-old daughter, Penélope, joined in on the fun.
She took a liking to Pikachu, just as her dad did.
Now, they share the joy of opening packs filled with Pokémon cards along with Disney, My Little Pony, and even Netflix-themed cards, transforming Hernández’s solitary hobby into cherished family moments. Surprisingly, this newfound obsession has also turned into a profitable side business for him.
Creating his own social media persona called “PokéKikémon,” Hernández has attracted over 112,000 followers on Instagram, which has led to a range of merchandise related to his hobby.
“Not only do I satisfy my own passion, but it really helps us connect as a family,” Hernández expressed. “It’s something we both look forward to.”
When asked about the best card he has ever pulled, he excitedly mentioned a Japanese Sabrina’s Gengar 1st edition, which is valued at over $10,000 on certain collector sites.
“I pulled it and got it graded a [PSA] 10. So that is definitely my best one, for sure,” he stated.
However, like any collector, he has a coveted card that eludes him. He dreams of acquiring a 2001 Japanese Corocoro promotional card, characterized by its striking artwork of Mew. Unfortunately, its price has skyrocketed—now ranging from $75,000 to $500,000 on collector sites.
“CoroCoro Mew is a card that I love the art of,” Hernández lamented. “I didn’t buy it last year when I should have, and now it’s just too pricey. So I think I’ll be chasing it for a long time.”
And maybe that’s a part of what makes collecting enjoyable. Hernández set out to fill the empty hours away from the diamond, only to realize that amidst all the Pokémon—Pikachu, Charizard, and Gengar—he found a way to bond with his daughter that would last well beyond his baseball career.
