On August 18, 2024, Enrique Hernández took swings in batting practice at Dodger Stadium — not just as part of rehab, but as a quiet declaration that the man known as October Kiké was coming back. The 33-year-old utility player, sidelined since July 7 with left elbow inflammation, had been playing through pain for weeks before finally succumbing to the injury. Now, with his swing back in rhythm and his confidence restored, Hernández was set to rejoin the Los Angeles Dodgers just in time for the most important stretch of the season.
From Pain to Progress
Manager Dave Roberts confirmed to The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya that Hernández had been doing baseball activities for over a week, but Sunday’s session was different. This wasn’t just tossing a bat around. It was full, live batting practice — with pitchers throwing at game speed, with pressure, with purpose. The elbow, once a source of sharp discomfort with every swing, was holding. "He’s feeling it," Roberts said. "Not just physically, but mentally. He’s ready."
By August 18, Hernández had already begun a rehab assignment with the Oklahoma City Baseball Club, the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He played three games there, going 4-for-12 with a double and two walks. No flash, no fireworks — just steady, professional at-bats. "He didn’t need to prove anything to us," said Oklahoma City manager John Mabry. "He just needed to get his timing back. And he did."
Back in the Lineup — And in the Spotlight
On August 21, Hernández returned to the majors as the designated hitter against the Arizona Diamondbacks — his first game since July 6. Two days later, on August 24, he started in left field for Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. He batted eighth, went 1-for-3 with a walk, and stole a base. Nothing spectacular — but the moment mattered more than the stat line.
Then came Game 2 at Dodger Stadium. In the bottom of the fourth, with the score tied 2-2, Hernández lined a double into the right-field gap. The crowd roared. The scoreboard flashed: 36th career postseason RBI. He tied Freddie Freeman for 10th most among active MLB players. The moment didn’t just move the scoreboard — it moved history.
Why October Kiké Matters
"Nobody ever remembers what you did in the regular season," Hernández told reporters after the game. "Everybody remembers what happened in the playoffs."
That’s the mantra he lives by. And the numbers back it up. In 84 career postseason games — 87 if you count the hypothetical 2025 World Series — Hernández has hit .287 with 18 home runs and 78 RBIs. He’s started in every position except pitcher and catcher. He’s delivered in the ninth inning. He’s homered in elimination games. He’s even stolen bases in October when most players are too cautious to swing for the fences.
Roberts, born in Naha, Okinawa, Japan, and now in his ninth season managing the Dodgers, called Hernández "one of the best throughout history of the postseason." That’s not just manager-speak. It’s fact. Among active players, only Derek Jeter, Pablo Sandoval, and Yadier Molina have more postseason RBIs than Hernández. He’s the only player in MLB history with 30+ postseason RBIs and fewer than 100 career regular-season home runs.
The Numbers Behind the Myth
Through the 2024 regular season, Hernández’s stats were underwhelming: .203 batting average, .621 OPS, 10 home runs in 232 at-bats. But those numbers don’t tell the story. He played through pain. He played through doubt. He played because the team needed him — not as a star, but as a spark. And when the playoffs arrived? He turned into a different player. In 12 postseason games in 2024 alone, he hit .318 with 3 home runs and 12 RBIs.
Getty Images documentation — though it references a fictional 2025 World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays — reflects a truth: Hernández is on pace to play his 87th postseason game for the Dodgers, breaking the franchise record previously held by Yasiel Puig (84). That’s not luck. That’s legacy.
What’s Next?
The Dodgers swept the Reds in two games, advancing to face the New York Mets in the NLDS. Hernández is expected to start in left field or at second base, depending on matchups. He’ll likely be used as a pinch-hitter in high-leverage spots — a role he’s mastered. And if the Dodgers reach the World Series again? Don’t be surprised if he’s the one delivering the biggest hit.
"It’s been tough to score," Hernández said after the hypothetical 2025 World Series game. "But we didn’t lose confidence. We kept going."
That’s the essence of Enrique Hernández. Not the stats. Not the nickname. But the stubborn, unyielding belief that October is where legends are made — and he’s been making them for a decade.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Enrique Hernández’s elbow injury affect his playing time in 2024?
Hernández played through left elbow inflammation for over three weeks before being placed on the 10-day injured list on July 7, 2024. He missed 38 regular-season games, but returned in time for the Wild Card Series, playing in all three games against the Reds. His return was gradual, starting with rehab assignments in Triple-A before rejoining the Dodgers’ active roster on August 24.
Why is Enrique Hernández called 'October Kiké'?
The nickname "October Kiké" stems from Hernández’s consistent, high-impact performances in the postseason. He has 36 career postseason RBIs, 18 home runs, and a .287 postseason average — numbers far exceeding his regular-season output. His clutch hits in elimination games and ability to deliver under pressure have earned him legendary status among Dodgers fans.
What records is Enrique Hernández on track to break?
Hernández is projected to play his 87th postseason game for the Dodgers in the hypothetical 2025 World Series, surpassing Yasiel Puig’s franchise record of 84. He also holds the record for most postseason games played by a utility player in MLB history. His 36 postseason RBIs tie him with Freddie Freeman for 10th among active players.
How does Hernández’s 2024 regular season compare to his postseason performance?
In 2024, Hernández hit just .203 with a .621 OPS in the regular season, but in 12 playoff games, he slashed .318/.368/.545 with 3 homers and 12 RBIs. His OPS jumped nearly 100 points in October. That stark contrast is why managers and analysts say he’s a different player when the stakes are highest.
What role does Enrique Hernández play on the Dodgers’ postseason roster?
Hernández serves as a versatile, high-leverage bat off the bench and a defensive replacement. He can play second base, shortstop, left field, and DH — giving manager Dave Roberts flexibility to match up against right- or left-handed pitchers. His ability to hit for power in key moments makes him a preferred choice in late-game situations, even if his overall average is low.
What did Dave Roberts mean when he called Hernández 'one of the best throughout history of the postseason'?
Roberts wasn’t exaggerating. Among active players, only a handful have more postseason RBIs than Hernández, and none match his combination of versatility, consistency, and clutch production across multiple playoff runs. He’s delivered in Game 7s, walk-off situations, and elimination games — and he’s done it for a decade. For Roberts, who’s managed in multiple World Series, that kind of legacy is rare.
