When Kiké Hernández stepped onto the field at Dodger Stadium on October 26, 2025, for Game Two of the World Series, he didn’t just tie a record—he rewrote it. The 34-year-old Puerto Rican utility player, born Enrique Hernández Jr. in San Juan, became the Los Angeles Dodgers’ all-time leader in postseason appearances with his 87th game, surpassing longtime teammate Justin Turner. It wasn’t a home run or a diving catch that sealed the moment—it was simply showing up, again and again, when the stakes were highest. And that’s what makes this record so deeply human.
A Quiet Legend in a Franchise of Stars
Hernández didn’t arrive in Los Angeles as a headline. Signed out of the minors in 2015, he was the kind of player coaches loved but fans didn’t always notice. A switch-hitter who could play every position except catcher, he was the ultimate depth piece—until October rolled around. Then, something changed. His bat woke up. His instincts sharpened. He became, in the words of manager Dave Roberts, “the guy you want up when the lights are brightest.” Over the last decade, Hernández has played in every single Dodgers postseason series since 2017. That’s five World Series runs, three NLCS appearances, and two NLDS clinchers—all with the same quiet intensity. He entered the 2025 World Series with 86 postseason games under his belt, tied with Turner and Kenley Jansen. One more game, and he’d be alone at the top. He got it in Game Two, pinch-hitting for Mookie Betts in the sixth inning. The crowd rose before he even stepped into the box.The Numbers Behind the Moment
The stats tell part of the story. According to DodgerBlue.com, Hernández owns a .253 postseason average with the Dodgers, 10 home runs, 30 RBIs, and 35 runs scored. Other sources, like Belatina, cite slightly different figures: .249 average, 31 RBIs. Either way, he’s fifth in franchise history for postseason homers and seventh in RBIs. Those aren’t the numbers of a superstar—they’re the numbers of a guy who shows up, day after day, in the most pressure-packed environment in sports. What’s more telling? His consistency. In 2021, with the Boston Red Sox, he put up a .408 average across 11 playoff games—still the best stretch of his career. But since joining the Dodgers, he’s been the steady hand in a rotating cast. While stars like Betts, Ohtani, and Freeman get the spotlight, Hernández is the one who’s been there through the collapses, the comebacks, the injuries, and the triumphs.
More Than a Record: A Symbol
Hernández’s achievement carries weight far beyond the box score. He’s the most visible Puerto Rican player in Dodgers history to reach this milestone. For fans in Puerto Rico and across Latino communities in the U.S., his presence on this stage is more than representation—it’s validation. Baseball has long been a cultural bridge for the Caribbean, and Hernández, who’s spoken openly about growing up in San Juan with limited resources, embodies that legacy. “I’m humbled,” he told MLB.com last week, after tying Turner’s record in the NLCS. “This isn’t just any franchise. They’ve been around for a long time. And for a guy like me from Puerto Rico, who kind of swam against the current my entire life… to be sitting in this position is pretty special.” His words resonate because they’re true. He didn’t come from a baseball powerhouse. He wasn’t drafted in the first round. He didn’t sign for a $10 million bonus. He earned every at-bat, every glove flip, every playoff game through grit and adaptability.What’s Next? The Series, and the Legacy
The Dodgers now lead the 2025 World Series 1-1 against the Toronto Blue Jays, with Game Three set for October 28 in Toronto. Hernández will be in the lineup—likely in left field, batting seventh. He’s not chasing history anymore. He’s living it. His nine postseason trips with the Dodgers are tied for second-most in franchise history, behind only Clayton Kershaw’s 13. But Kershaw was the ace. Hernández? He was the guy who filled every hole. The glue. The backup plan who became the plan.
What This Means for the Future
As the Dodgers look toward 2026, with younger players like Bobby Miller and James Outman rising, Hernández’s role may shift. He’s not the same athlete he was at 28. But his value? It’s growing. In the clubhouse, he’s a mentor. In the dugout, he’s a strategist. And in October? He’s still the guy you trust with the game on the line. His record might stand for years. Or maybe not. But what he’s built—a legacy of reliability, resilience, and quiet excellence—is already immortal.Frequently Asked Questions
How many postseason games has Kiké Hernández played in total across all teams?
Kiké Hernández has appeared in 98 total postseason games across his MLB career, combining his 87 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers and 11 with the Boston Red Sox in 2021. That total ranks among the top 20 in MLB history and is the highest among active players not named Clayton Kershaw.
Who held the Dodgers’ postseason games record before Hernández?
Justin Turner held the record with 86 postseason appearances for the Dodgers, a mark he set over his 10-year tenure with the team from 2014 to 2023. Turner was a key figure in the Dodgers’ 2017, 2018, and 2020 runs, but Hernández surpassed him in Game Two of the 2025 World Series, becoming the franchise’s new standard for durability in October.
Why is Hernández’s record significant for Puerto Rican baseball?
Hernández is the first Puerto Rican player to lead any MLB franchise in postseason appearances. His journey—from a modest upbringing in San Juan to becoming a cornerstone of one of baseball’s most storied teams—inspires a generation of Caribbean players. He’s proof that hustle and adaptability can outweigh star power in the long run.
How does Hernández’s postseason performance compare to other Dodgers legends?
While Hernández doesn’t match the offensive numbers of Mike Piazza or Steve Garvey in the playoffs, his versatility and consistency set him apart. He’s fifth in franchise postseason home runs and seventh in RBIs, but his ability to play six positions reliably makes him uniquely valuable. Few players in Dodgers history have contributed as much across so many roles in high-leverage moments.
What’s the next milestone Hernández could reach?
Hernández is just six games away from tying Kershaw’s franchise record of 93 postseason appearances. If the Dodgers make the playoffs in 2026 and 2027, he could break that mark before turning 36. He’s also 12 home runs shy of overtaking Turner for the most postseason homers in Dodgers history—a potential milestone if he stays healthy.
Did Hernández ever doubt he’d reach this level?
In interviews, Hernández has admitted he was cut by three teams before the Dodgers gave him a chance in 2015. He spent time in Triple-A, played winter ball in Venezuela, and once considered quitting after a .198 average in 2016. “I didn’t think I’d be here,” he told SportsNet LA. “But I kept showing up. That’s all I could control.”