(Redirected from José Hernández (baseball)) 'José Antonio Hernández Figueroa' (born
June 14,
1969 in
Vega Alta,
Puerto Rico) is a
Major League Baseball infielder, with the
Pittsburgh Pirates. Previously, Hernández played with the
Texas Rangers (
1991), Cleveland Indians (
1992),
Chicago Cubs (
1994-
1999),
Atlanta Braves (1999),
Milwaukee Brewers (
2000-
2003),
Colorado Rockies (2003), Chicago Cubs (2003), Pittsburgh Pirates (2003),
Los Angeles Dodgers (
2004), and
Cleveland Indians (
2005). Before the
2006 season, he signed a minor league contract with the Pirates that included an invitation to spring training, and an opportunity to compete for a spot on the team. Hernandez was traded to the Phillies on
August 22, 2006. He bats and throws
right-handed.
In a 13-season career, Hernández has compiled a .253
batting average with 159
home runs and 553
RBI in 1418
games.
Primarily a shortstop, Hernández has played every position, except
pitcher and
catcher. His most productive season came in
2001 with Milwaukee, when he posted career highs in home runs (25), RBI (78),
hits (151),
doubles (26) and games (152). Despite his .249 average, he posted a .356
on base percentage.
In 2002 Hernandez struck out 188 times, one shy of the MLB record. Former Brewers manager
Jerry Royster kept Hernandez out of the lineup in four of the last five games of the season, so he would not break the dubious record. Brewers fans also began cheering for Hernandez to break the record. He led the majors in highest strikeout percentage (35.8%).
[1]
In
2002, Hernández hit 24 home runs with 73 RBI and a career high .288 average, and he was selected for the
All-Star Game. He spent the entire
2004 season with the Dodgers in a utility role, hitting .289 (61-211) with 12 doubles, one
triple, 13 home runs and 29 RBI in 95 games for the
National League West champions. Hernández recorded 26
extra base hits and a .540
slugging percentage in just 211
at bats. Only
Anaheim's
Troy Glaus (.207 AB, 18 HR) hit more home runs in the majors in 2004 among players with 215 or fewer at bats.
Hernández also set a ''Puerto Rico Winter League'' record with 20 home runs for ''Mayaguez'' during the
1997-
1998 winter ball campaign.
See also
★
Top 500 home run hitters of all time
External links
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