“Super special” for Puerto Rican Kike Hernández to play for his compatriot Alex Cora in Boston

The idea of ​​taking over the position of a favorite of Boston fans, such as Dustin Pedroia, the second baseman in retirement, does not put pressure on the newest member of the Boston Red Sox, the Puerto Rican Enrique “Kike” Hernández, knows that talent, personality and energy to quickly conquer a tough fan base in Boston. And he proved it with the Dodgers for six seasons.

The important thing when signing with the 2018 World Series champions was to have a team with which he had daily playing time and at the same time to be a competitive team, in addition to the idea of ​​playing under the guidance of his compatriot Alex Cora.

So Hernandez agreed to a two-year, $ 14 million deal with the Red Sox, which officially revealed it on Tuesday.

“I was looking for $ 100 million, but no one wanted to give it to me,” Hernandez, 29, said by phone with his humorous personality. “I was looking for a team where I could play every day, even if it would have been a year or two to bet on myself and put numbers and then join the free agency (for the second time) at 30 or 31 and try to get a big contract ”.

“At the same time, I wanted to be in a competitive team. He didn’t want to be part of a reconstruction team. I know everyone writes Boston on the map, but I understand that the franchise and the fans in that city have high expectations of their players and they won’t want to stay in the playoffs for long and that’s why we decided to sign there for two years “.

He described as “super special” the opportunity to play for Cora, whom he has known since the age of 10, and his father of the same name, who was the coach of Criollos de Caguas. In addition, the presence of other Puerto Ricans, such as the receptionist Christian Vázquez, coach Ramón Vázquez and others known to him, such as hitting instructor Tim Hyers and bench coach Will Venable, helps him not to feel “new” in the team.

I know that if I play the way I can, the fans will open their arms just like what happened in Los Angeles. I will do my job and make some dangers to keep the clubhouse relaxed

–Kike Hernandez

“The Pedroia thing is not pressing me. He hasn’t been able to play for a few years. It’s not that they eliminated him from the team, so I can get into the game, “he said.” I played with the Dodgers for six years when Kike Hernández was nobody and had the highest salary in all major leagues and I came, “I made the team and I settled in. That never intimidated me. I know that if I play the way I can, the fans will open my arms just like what happened in Los Angeles. I’m going to do my job.” and make a few jokes to keep the clubhouse relaxed. “

Hernandez He said the Boston team is not “as bad a team as the press wants it to be. There are a lot of good players. Yes, we may be missing a bit of pitching, but when your horse (Chris Sale) is out, you have to wait for him to come back and then accommodate the missing track or two. And I understand that we are not very far from being a team that will give problems to everyone. At this moment we have players with a good position and little by little they added pitching to keep us in the fight, so we will see what happens ”.

He assured that his bright and joking personality was not a phenomenon seen only in the Dodgers’ shelter, because this is him. And he makes sure that everyone who has known him since childhood knows that he has always been the same. And it will continue to be.

“It’s me and I can’t stop being like that. No matter where you go. Change the uniform, change the mustache … anything. But wherever I am, they are the same, “he said. “I learned. I played in Miami for a month. I came in as a rookie in the middle of the season and I felt very uncomfortable. It was hard for me to be because I didn’t know anyone and I was a beginner. And I couldn’t produce. “I understand that for someone to produce, they have to be comfortable. You have to be the one who doesn’t like it yourself, so look at ‘pal lao.’

Sleepy, but happy to stay up late for her baby

Meanwhile, the member of the Rubio team from the World Baseball Classic 2017 enjoys every day, especially the nights, taking care of his newborn daughter. Hernández and his wife Mariana Vicente became parents on January 15.

The player said that currently being a father affected him only in the sense that it makes him sleep during the day. But he knows that being a father is a blessing.

“I feel very happy and ‘angry’ with my child. It is a blessing because it is our duty in the world to procreate, to create a family and to leave our seed, “he said in a confident voice.

He already believes that when the season begins and the “road trips” begin, he will not be able to help Mariana take care of her daughter as she has done so far, but he is sure that he will find a way to always be present. with technology. And it is absolutely certain that returning home after each game will be the sweetest.

“I am just excited and ready. I’m already crazy because spring training is coming and I’m starting to get my hands on it “, said Hernández.

“I will get there as if I were only playing second base, but that has been my life for the last seven years. I will practice in other positions to stay sharp. They told me that I would play the second place a lot, central field … maybe I would play in the corners of the field, I would give him (Xander) Bogaerts days off and I imagine that I would play the third one as well. I am always ready for whatever position it is. Once I’m in the opening line of the game, I don’t care. The goal is to start every day, regardless of position, “he concluded.