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If Keith Hernandez ever decides to stop calling New York Mets games, he will always have another source of income.
The team’s legendary former first baseman became the team’s announcer in 1999 and has won several local Emmy Awards for his microphone skills. But after hanging up his cleats, he put his acting skills to the test.
Hernandez was one of numerous New York baseball stars who appeared on “Seinfeld,” playing himself in three episodes. His most famous appearance, however, came in the two-part episode, “The Boyfriend”, in 1992, when he becomes Elaine’s love interest despite Kramer and Newman’s grudge against him due to a spitting incident on June 14, 1987.
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Keith Hernandez and Jerry Seinfeld at Shea Stadium in New York, New York. (Stephen Lovekin/WireImage)
The episode prompted Hernandez’s infamous line: “I’m Keith Hernandez.” Two documentaries about him have even used the line as a title.
Due to the episode’s huge success, Hernandez still receives some nice residuals.
“It varies, but I can tell you that I make about $5,000 annually. It’s the gift that keeps on giving,” Hernandez told the “SI Media Podcast”. “Remember one thing: I was the guest star.”
Ron Darling, Gary Cohen, Jerry Seinfeld and Keith Hernandez pose as Jerry Seinfeld celebrates Seinfeld on Netflix at Citi Field on September 29, 2021 in New York City. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Netflix)
RANGERS PITCHER LEARNS HE MADE THE OPENING DAY ROSTER DURING THE GAME
Former New York Yankees outfielder Paul O’Neill also appeared in a famous episode, “The Wink,” in season 7, where Kramer (played by Michael Richards) promises a boy in the hospital that he would get the right fielder to hit two home runs in a game in an effort to recover a birthday card for George Steinbrenner, signed by members of the Yankees, that he had sold.
O’Neill revealed in 2024 that he also still receives waste, but it is not at the same level as Hernandez’s.
“Yeah, they’re like $57.” O’Neill said while calling a Yankees game.. “It’s not a great moment. But it’s a good reminder that you were on the show. It’s kind of cool.”
Former New York Mets first baseman Keith Hernandez speaks to reporters before his jersey retirement ceremony at Citi Field. (Wendell Cruz/USA Today Sports)
In addition to O’Neill, Yankees players Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams and Danny Tartabull and manager Buck Showalter also appeared in the series, while a double was used for Steinbrenner, whose voice was performed by co-creator Larry David; the real Steinbrenner filmed a scene that was never used.
