Keith Hernandez (born October 20, 1953) is an American former professional baseball first baseman. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets, and Cleveland Indians. A five-time All-Star, he shared the 1979 NL MVP award and won two World Series titles.
A .296 hitter with a 12.5% walk rate, his offensive productivity was 31% above league average. He earned 11 Gold Gloves, the most by a first baseman, and is considered the best defensive first baseman ever. Since 1998, he’s been a Mets color commentator and MLB on Fox analyst.
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Keith Hernandez Net Worth
Keith Hernandez has a net worth of $10 million. One of baseball’s top first basemen in the 1970s and 1980s, he won 11 consecutive Gold Glove Awards (1978–1988), the most for a first baseman. A .296 career hitter, he played 17 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets, and Cleveland Indians.
His best year was 1979, when he won the NL MVP award (shared with Willie Stargell) and led the league with a .344 batting average. He helped win World Series titles in 1982 and 1986.
Early life
Keith Hernandez was born in San Francisco and raised in Pacifica and Millbrae, California. He attended Terra Nova High School, then Capuchino High School in San Bruno, graduating in 1971. Teammates included future MLB pitcher Bob McClure. Though nicknamed “Mex“, Hernandez is of Castilian Spanish and Scots-Irish descent.
He sat out his senior season over a coaching dispute. Briefly at College of San Mateo, he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 42nd round. A left-handed hitter, he loves Civil War history and appeared on Seinfeld.
Career
Keith Hernandez struggled early in the minor leagues, hitting around .250 until joining the Tulsa Oilers in 1973, where he batted .333 with a .525 slugging percentage. In 1974, he hit .351, earning a call-up to the St. Louis Cardinals.
He debuted on August 30, 1974, at Candlestick Park vs. the San Francisco Giants, going 1-for-2 with two walks and his first RBI. To make room, the Cardinals traded Joe Torre. In 1975, Hernandez hit .250 with three home runs, despite a .996 fielding percentage.
Personal life
Keith Hernandez is the son of John Hernandez (1922–1992), a minor league first baseman with the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees in the 1940s.
His older brother, Gary Hernandez, played college baseball at Cal and spent four seasons in the minor leagues. Keith married Sue Broecker in 1979, and they had three daughters before divorcing in 1983. He later married Kai Thompson in 2005; they divorced in February 2011. The Hernandez family has deep baseball roots across generations.
Did Keith Hernandez win an MVP?
Yes, Keith Hernandez won the National League MVP award in 1979. Drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1971, he rose through the minor leagues to become a Major League Baseball star. His leadership and clutch performances played a key role in the Cardinals’ 1982 World Series championship, securing his legacy among the game’s elite.
Conclusion
Keith Hernandez’s success story is not just confined to the baseball diamond but extends to his financial achievements and his transition into a successful broadcasting career. His journey is an inspiration, showing how sports talents can translate their on-field success into off-field financial stability and career diversification.
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FAQs about Keith Hernandez’s Net Worth
- What is Keith Hernandez’s net worth?
- Approximately $16 million as of 2023.
- Why is Keith Hernandez famous?
- For his successful MLB career and 11 consecutive Gold Glove awards.
- Is Keith Hernandez currently married?
- No, he divorced his second wife, Kai Thompson, in 2011.
- Where does Keith Hernandez live?
- His current residence is not publicly disclosed.
- How did Keith Hernandez transition after his baseball career?
- He became a successful baseball analyst for Mets’ telecasts.
