Keith Hernandez is a comforting presence on SNY broadcasts. His effortless, lived-in rapport with boothmates Ron Darling and Gary Cohen, combined with his avuncular personality and candid assessment of on-field play, make him a delight on television.
Perhaps Hernandez is such a natural in the booth because he’s spent so much of his post-playing career in front of the camera. From his role on the most influential sitcom of the ’90s to his recent turns in commercials, here are the best Keith Hernandez moments from pop culture.
“The Boyfriend” on Seinfeld
Hernandez left a permanent mark on pop culture when he appeared in the two-part Seinfeld episode “The Boyfriend.” In this 1992 episode, Kramer and Newman accuse Hernandez of spitting on them outside of Shea Stadium; Jerry, meanwhile, offers a “second-spitter theory.”
Of course, what most remember from this appearance is that Hernandez secures a date with Elaine. At the end of their first date, the former MLB star wrestles with indecision over whether to lean in for a kiss. He talks himself through this momentary crisis of confidence with a mental pep talk (“Come on, I won the MVP in ‘79. I can do whatever I want to!”).
Ultimately, Hernandez does kiss Elaine, which restores his confidence. Uttered via voiceover, the line “I’m Keith Hernandez” has since become ingrained in the public consciousness.
Despite the enduring popularity of the episode, Hernandez has admitted that he found the experience intimidating. Jerry Seinfeld encouraged him to perform well in front of the live studio audience so a laugh track wouldn’t need to be added later. This placed even more pressure on Hernandez, who was nervous about memorizing his lines. According to Hernandez, he built up so much tension that his back gave out when he flew home after filming.
“The Boyfriend” put Hernandez back in the spotlight two years after his retirement from Major League Baseball. It remains one of the best Seinfeld episodes because it effectively skewers Hernandez’s air of self-assurance while simultaneously reaffirming his status as a “man’s man.”
I’m Keith Hernandez
Who is Keith Hernandez, and more importantly, what does he represent?
Rob Perri’s satirical documentary I’m Keith Hernandez seeks to answer that question. This 19-minute film recaps Mex’s career in irreverent fashion, mixing historical facts with exaggerated statements to examine how pop culture shapes male identity.
Cleverly subversive and darkly humorous, this short film does not shy away from Hernandez’s cocaine use and his role in the Pittsburgh drug trials. However, the film uses these stories for jokes about 1980s excess rather than cheap shots at Hernandez himself.
Mostly, the film looks at Hernandez as a paragon of 80s masculinity, from his Magnum PI mustache to his hard-partying ways that were representative of the era. I’m Keith Hernandez is crisply edited, and at only 19 minutes, it’s well worth the watch.
It might also convince you that Keith had a career in porn. No, I’m not joking.
To watch I’m Keith Hernandez, click here
Just For Men Commercials
Hernandez’s hyper-masculine image led to a gig as a spokesman for the hair-coloring product Just For Men. He starred in a series of commercials with Walt “Clyde” Frazier in which the two New York sports icons offered “color commentary” for men navigating the dating scene.
The commercials follow a simple formula: a man with gray hair hits on a woman, only for his advances to be rebuffed. This leads Hernandez and Frazier to interject a pithy, rhyming catchphrase like “No play for Mr. Gray!” and then praise Just For Men for allowing them to “keep their edge.”
These ads are inspired in their silliness, and it’s clear that Hernandez and Frazier had a blast filming them. Seriously, I wonder how hard it was to keep a straight face while telling Emmitt Smith “Your beard is weird” and “Your ‘stache is trash.”
A more recent Just For Men TV spot has Hernandez and Frazier helping Randy Johnson when his “stubble is in trouble.” These commercials are always good for a chuckle, and I still find myself working some of the catchphrases into everyday conversation.
SNY Commercial
Rollie Fingers had the handlebar and Goose Gossage the Fu Manchu, but Keith Hernandez has a mustache style all his own. Hernandez is so commonly associated with his iconic mustache that fans were legitimately upset when he shaved it for charity in 2012.
That signature ‘stache provided the setup for an SNY commercial in which fans celebrate “Keith Hernandez Day” at a sports memorabilia store. Hilarity ensues when one fan refuses to wear a fake mustache provided by the store owners for the Hernandez autograph signing.
Easily my favorite part of this ad is when Hernandez tells a kid to “say hello to your mother for me.” It’s such an audacious line, and it’s yet another instance where Hernandez’s ultra-masculine persona is played for laughs.
Hadji on Social Media
Keith Hernandez may be an intimidating figure to some, but it’s clear that deep down he’s a big softy. As SNY viewers are well aware, Hernandez has a profound affection for his cat Hadji. Hernandez and his feline friend are as close as can be, whether they’re completing puzzles or cuddling around the house.
As a proud cat owner myself, I can relate to the relationship that Keith has with his kitty. Pictures of them together are simply adorable, and I smile every time I see one. In fact, one of the many reasons I follow Keith on Twitter is the joy I get from seeing Hadji with his papa.
Searle’s Final Say
Keith Hernandez has been a public figure for nearly five decades, so it’s no surprise that he’s comfortable in front of a camera. The charisma and intelligence that he routinely displays on SNY broadcasts have also been present in his pop culture appearances throughout the years. As much as I miss hearing him talk about the “Geico Metsie defense” and “good fundies” during this baseball hiatus, I’m glad that I can replay so many of his top pop culture moments.
