1974–1990 · 1B

Keith Hernandez

6' 0", 180 lbs·Lived to 73·Bats L / Throws L

11×Gold Glove2×Silver SluggerMVPAll-Star

The Almanac's Take

Hernandez stands as one of baseball's finest defensive first basemen, a five-time All-Star who won 11 Gold Gloves across his career—an astonishing total at the position. His 1979 season showcased peak performance, batting .344 with a 128 OPS+ while anchoring St. Louis's lineup. Though his power numbers were modest, his .296 career average and consistent 112 OPS+ underscore a player valued equally for glove work and batting consistency, someone who elevated teammates through elite defensive positioning and situational hitting.

Career Highs

.930

Best OPS · 1979

Most HR · 1987

105

Most RBI · 1979

.344

Best AVG · 1979

Career Arc · OPS

17 seasons

Statistical Comps

Brendan Donovan

98%

2025 season

ISO .135 · K% 13.1 · BB% 8.2 · HR% 1.9

Steven Kwan

98%

2024 season

ISO .133 · K% 9.5 · BB% 9.9 · HR% 2.6

Career · Batting

17 seasons

Year	Team	G	AB	HR	RBI	AVG	OPS	OPS+
1974	STL	14	34	0	2	.294	.856	123
1975	STL	64	188	3	20	.250	.671	96
1976	STL	129	374	7	46	.289	.803	118
1977	STL	161	560	15	91	.291	.837	115
1978	STL	159	542	11	64	.255	.741	106
1979	STL	161	610	11	105	.344	.930	128
1980	STL	159	595	16	99	.321	.902	126
1981	STL	103	376	8	48	.306	.864	125
1982	STL	160	579	7	94	.299	.810	114
1983	NYM	150	538	12	63	.297	.829	116
1984	NYM	154	550	15	94	.311	.859	121
1985	NYM	158	593	10	91	.309	.814	114
1986	NYM	149	551	13	83	.310	.859	119
1987	NYM	154	587	18	89	.290	.813	109
1988	NYM	95	348	11	55	.276	.750	108
1989	NYM	75	215	4	19	.233	.649	93
1990	CLE	43	130	1	8	.200	.521	73
Career		2088	7370	162	1071	.296	—	—

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