On a crisp Saturday night at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Enrique J. "Kiké" Hernández didn’t homer, didn’t drive in the winning run, and didn’t even start the game. But he stepped onto the field in the seventh inning — and with that single appearance, he rewrote history. The 33-year-old Puerto Rican utility man played his 87th postseason game as a Los Angeles Dodgers on October 25, 2025, surpassing Justin Turner’s long-standing record of 86. It wasn’t just a number. It was a monument to consistency, adaptability, and quiet resilience in a franchise built on stars.
A Record Built on Bench Plugs and Late-Inning Heroics
Hernández didn’t arrive as a franchise cornerstone. He was traded from the Miami Marlins in 2015, a 24-year-old with a .250 batting average and no clear position. Back then, he was a depth piece — the kind of player teams keep around hoping he’ll figure it out. He didn’t just figure it out. He became indispensable. After a stint with the Boston Red Sox from 2021 to mid-2023, he returned to Los Angeles in a deadline deal that many dismissed as a low-cost gamble. Turns out, it was genius.His record-breaking 87th game came in Game 2 of the 2025 World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. He entered as a defensive replacement at second base, replacing Chris Taylor. He made a diving stop on a liner up the middle, threw to first for the out, and walked off the field to a standing ovation — not because he was the star, but because everyone knew what this moment meant.
Chris Taylor, with 80 postseason games, sits second. Max Muncy, the heart of the Dodgers’ lineup, is third at 76. The gap isn’t just statistical — it’s cultural. Hernández has played in nine different postseason runs with the Dodgers, surviving roster cuts, managerial changes, and the relentless pressure of playing in the shadow of Clayton Kershaw, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman. He’s been the guy who plays shortstop in the 9th inning, then switches to center field in extra innings. He’s the guy who hits .180 in the NLCS but drives in the go-ahead run in Game 5.
"I Thought I’d Be in Triple-A"
The turning point didn’t come on the field. It came over a phone call."I expected to be traded again," Hernández recalled in Spanish during a quiet moment before the 2025 NLCS. "When I looked at the roster, I thought I’d make a career in Triple-A." That call came from Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations. Friedman told him: "We need you. Not as a bench player. As a piece that can do everything. We’re building something, and you’re part of it."
That conversation changed everything. Hernández stopped trying to be someone else. He stopped chasing a .300 average. He focused on being the guy who could fill any hole — defensively, offensively, mentally. He became the ultimate glue guy. And in 2024, he helped the Dodgers win their second World Series in three years, delivering a clutch two-run double in Game 4 of the Fall Classic.
The Manager Who Trusted Him
Dave Roberts, the Dodgers’ manager since 2016, has never hidden his reliance on Hernández. In the 2025 NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies, Hernández made a backhanded stab at second base in the seventh inning of Game 2 — a play so improbable, the broadcast crew called it "a highlight you’d see in a video game." It preserved a one-run lead. The Dodgers won 4-2."He’s the definition of a player who makes you feel safe," Roberts said after Game 2. "You know he’s going to be ready. You know he’s going to make the play. You don’t have to explain it to him. He just understands the moment."
That’s the rarest kind of leadership — not the loud, captaincy kind. The quiet, every-day, show-up-and-do-your-job kind. The kind that doesn’t make headlines, but makes championships possible.
What’s Next? The Record Could Keep Growing
As of October 26, 2025, the Dodgers lead the World Series 2-0. If they win in six games, Hernández will hit 90 postseason appearances. If it goes to seven, he’ll reach 91 — a number no one in Dodgers history has ever approached.He’s not just the record-holder anymore. He’s becoming a symbol. A reminder that greatness isn’t always about the 40-home run seasons or the Cy Young awards. Sometimes, it’s about showing up, again and again, in a uniform that’s seen more wins, more heartbreaks, and more pressure than any other in baseball.
"This isn’t just about me," Hernández told reporters after Game 2. "It’s about the guys who believed in me when no one else did. The trainers who taped my knees every day. The coaches who stayed late to work on my swing. The fans who never stopped chanting my name, even when I was hitting .170. This is for them."
Legacy in the Making
The Los Angeles Dodgers have existed since 1883 — 142 years of baseball history. They’ve had Hall of Famers, MVPs, and immortal managers. But now, they have Hernández — the player who played more postseason games than anyone else in franchise history, without ever being the face of the team.He’s not on the cover of Sports Illustrated. He doesn’t have a statue outside Dodger Stadium. But if you ask anyone who’s been around the Dodgers since 2015 — from the front office to the clubhouse janitor — they’ll tell you the same thing: "Kiké was always there."
Frequently Asked Questions
How many postseason games has Kiké Hernández played in total across all teams?
Hernández has played 87 postseason games with the Dodgers and 12 additional games with the Boston Red Sox during the 2021, 2022, and 2023 seasons — bringing his career total to 99 postseason appearances. Only a handful of players in MLB history have reached triple digits in postseason games, and none have done so primarily as a utility player.
Who held the Dodgers’ record before Hernández, and how long did it stand?
Justin Turner, the longtime Dodgers third baseman and fan favorite, held the record with 86 postseason games, set during the 2021 NLCS. Turner played 11 seasons with the Dodgers and was a key part of their 2020 World Series title. His record stood for four years until Hernández tied it in Game 1 of the 2025 World Series on October 24, then broke it the next night.
Why is Hernández’s record considered more impressive than others?
Unlike most record-holders who were everyday starters — like Derek Jeter or Buster Posey — Hernández has never been a full-time starter. He’s played every position except pitcher and catcher, often entering games in the 7th inning or later. His durability and adaptability across nine playoff runs, while maintaining a .235 postseason average, make his longevity extraordinary.
Has any other player in MLB history appeared in more postseason games than Hernández?
Yes — but not as a utility player. Alex Rodriguez holds the all-time MLB record with 116 postseason games, followed by Derek Jeter with 112. However, both were primary starters for most of their careers. Hernández is the first player in MLB history to reach 87 postseason games while spending over 60% of his playoff appearances as a pinch-hitter, defensive replacement, or late-inning sub.
What does this mean for Hernández’s Hall of Fame chances?
He won’t be a Hall of Fame candidate based on traditional stats — he has 1,200 career hits and 120 home runs. But his postseason impact, leadership, and durability could earn him a special place in Dodgers history. The Hall of Fame has begun recognizing players for their role in championship teams and postseason excellence — Hernández may be one of the first to be remembered more for his clutch presence than his numbers.
How has Hernández’s background influenced his career?
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Hernández grew up without the resources of top-tier academies. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Marlins at 18. He’s spoken openly about being overlooked because of his size and accent. His journey — from Puerto Rico to the majors, from the minors to franchise legend — mirrors the resilience of many Latin American players who’ve had to prove themselves against long odds.
