Keith Hernandez "Mex"

[Crash Course]

He played in the major leagues from 1974 to 1990.

[nyy26wc]

Unfortunately, I have to vote yes.

363 RCAA is too much to do otherwise.

[KCBOOMER]

Certainly a fine player and one the absolute best defensive 1B's ever.

[--JDD]

About 20 years ago, baseball stat and history guys could immediately validate themselves among their peers by doing two things. Talk about the importance walks when it came to "creating runs", and talk up guys like Keith Hernandez and their ability to throw the ball on the infield.

It became a vicious cycle. The more you talked about the three-six-three double play, the smarter you sounded. It had nothing to do with Hernandez. It was all about sounding smart. (Thirty years ago it was all the rage to talk about on-base percentage.) When Hernandez retired, he was praised for his ability to throw the ball, and never mind his hitting stats (RBI anyone?)

It took me five years to quite the "Norm Cash was god-like" crowd. It should take me at least that long to silence the Hernandez for Mayor posse. His arm was such a small part of his game, and a first baseman's ability to throw is such a small part of ANY real game, that we need to stop building statues of this guy.

He's not overrated. But many do overrate the importance of a first baseman's throwing arm. It's a hitter's position.

[crazydiamond]

Hernandez' fielding contributions were about as important as Tinker's, Evers', and Chance's

[--JDD]

And Mex doesn't even have a poem....