Primarily a shortstop, Hernández played every position except pitcher. His most productive season came in 2001 with Milwaukee, when he posted career highs in home runs (25), RBI (78), doubles (26) and games (152).
In his All-Star year, 2002, Hernández hit 24 home runs with 73 RBI and a career-high .288 average; however, he also struck out 188 times, one shy of the MLB record. Then-Brewers manager Jerry Royster kept him out of the lineup in four of the last five games of the season so he would not break the dubious record.[1] He led the majors in highest strikeout percentage (32.3%).[2]
Hernández spent the entire 2004 season with the Los Angeles 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 signed on with the Cleveland Indians for the 2005 to begin his second tenure with the team. He played in 84 games and hit .231 with six home runs and 31 runs batted.
Before the 2006 season, Hernández 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. After playing only 67 games for Pittsburgh, the Phillies purchased his contract from the Pirates on August 22, 2006. He became a free agent after the season.
Hernández returned to the Pirates organization on January 3, 2007. Unconditionally released on March 30, he signed with the Indianapolis Indians. In 99 games, he hit .242 with 13 home runs and 56 RBI.
Hernández has been a field coach in the Baltimore Orioles organization since 2010. Beginning with the Gulf Coast League Orioles for one season, he was promoted to the Delmarva Shorebirds in 2011, the Frederick Keys in 2012 and the Norfolk Tides in 2013.[3] He served as a field coach for the Norfolk Tides in 2018 for a sixth year.[4] In January 2019, Hernández was promoted to the Major League staff in Baltimore with the title "Major League coach".[5] On October 4, 2021, it was announced that Hernández would assume a different role on the Orioles' staff.[6]
On October 11, 2024, the Orioles announced they would not bring back Hernández in 2025.[7]
Personal life
Hernández is the cousin of former Major League Baseball infielder Luis Figueroa[citation needed] and the son-in-law of Orlando Gómez, a former Major League Baseball coach and scout and minor league catcher and manager who, like Hernández, worked in the Orioles organization.[8]
^Ghiroli, Brittany (January 25, 2013). "Orioles name Minor League managers, staffs" (Press release). Former Major Leaguer Jose Hernadez [sic] will serve as field coach after serving in that position for Frederick last year
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