Kiké Hernández told his Mom, “I’m gonna hit a homer.”

Minutes before the biggest game of his professional career, Kiké Hernández texted his mom, currently residing in Puerto Rico.

“Mom, where are you going to be watching the game?” he asked.

“I’m going to be going to your grandparents, they got the generator going and we’re gonna power on the TV and we’re going to watch the game there,” she replied.  Then followed up with, “I saw the game at home last night and you guys lost, and the games I’ve watched at your grandparents you guys have won, so I’m going to watch it there.”

Kiké immediately responded with, “Alright, well make sure you get there before the game starts because I’m gonna hit a homer.”

His mother responded in the best possible way a mother could respond to her son who appeared to be putting a lot of pressure on himself, “Well, don’t think about hitting a homer, just think about putting the ball in play.”

Kiké chuckled.  “Nah, mom.  I was thinking about doing that the first two games and that didn’t work, so I’m just gonna try to hit a homer.  Who cares about making contact?  Everybody just wants homers,” he joked.

And homers Kiké hit – THREE, in fact, one of which was a grand slam.  To say that Kiké had a great game would be an understatement – he had a historic game.  Hernández became only the 4th Dodger to hit a grand slam in postseason history, the other three coming off the bats of James Loney (2008), Dusty Baker (1977) and Ron Cey (1977).

He also became the first player in MLB history with 3 home runs and 7 RBI’s in a postseason game as well as the only player to hit three home runs in a postseason game at Wrigley Field.  Kiké also joins an impressive list, becoming the 10th player to hit 3 home runs in a postseason game:

• Enrique Hernández, Dodgers: 2017 NLCS Game 5 (series-clinching game)
• José Altuve, Astros: 2017 ALDS Game 1
• Pablo Sandoval, Giants: 2012 World Series Game 1
• Albert Pujols, Cardinals: 2011 World Series Game 3
• Adrián Beltré, Rangers: 2011 ALDS Game 4 (series-clinching game)
• Adam Kennedy, Angels: 2002 ALCS Game 5 (series-clinching game)
• George Brett, Royals: 1978 ALCS Game 3
• Reggie Jackson, Yankees: 1977 World Series Game 6 (series-clinching game)
• Bob Robertson, Pirates: 1971 NLCS Game 2
• Babe Ruth, Yankees: 1928 World Series Game 4 (series-clinching game)
• Babe Ruth, Yankees: 1926 World Series Game 4

To top it all off, Kiké helped the Dodgers defeat the Cubs 4 games to 1 to clinch the National League Pennant and advance to the World Series for the first time in 29 years.

The Dodgers will have home field advantage in the World Series and await the winner of the Yankees/Astros.  The World Series begins Tuesday, October 24th at Dodger Stadium.

BakoBoyInBlue