I'm 70 yo, Keith is the Best 1st Baseman I ever saw play the game sice 1961 when I started to watch and play Baseball. No one played in the field better than Keith. A .296 Lifetime BA , Clutch Hitter, a Co-MVP, a Batiing Chmapion, and 11 Gold Gloves: Bingo Hall of Fame w/o a Doubt !!
@@SSNESS, I played it in .25 speed. If you pause at the right moment, you can see the tag on his hip with space between Ozzie's foot and the bag. He was out. It was a good call.
@@SSNESS DYK Smith and Hernandez were teammates for one season in St Louis. Best defensive shortstop and best defensive first baseman ever, together. Also on the team was Jim Kaat, who won 15 GGs, I think, at pitcher.
It is a shame he's not. Unfortunately the HOF looks for power numbers out of first basemen, but Keith was 1 of a kind. We'll never see another first baseman come close to 11 gold gloves ever again. He was a batting champ, 5x all star, 2x silver slugger, 2 world series (!), MVP (!!), 11 gold gloves (!!!). So he only hit 160 home runs in his career, so what?
@@Rak9-j8h I think Hernandez' exclusion from the hall has nothing to do with his numbers and everything to do with his history of drug use. I'm not saying I agree with it, only that I think that's the main reason he wasn't considered.
The homers shown in these highlights were all in chronological order from 1983, if you do the research on the game dates. Pretty impressive work by whoever put this together.
That charge on the bunt in that crazy extra inning game in Cincinnati was the most amazing play I’ve ever seen. He was in foul territory when he threw to Carter who was playing third like he’d been there his whole career and unleashed a cannon throw to Teufel at first. Nobody spoiled a bunt better than Keith, nobody turned bunts into double plays better than Keith. Nobody. He should be in the Hall of Fame based on his defense alone.
He was my favorite player. lol I was in high school when he got traded to the Mets and I cried. I loved the Cards and Keith. probably will never live that down but don't care. After some therapy, I became a Mets fan. lol. Keith needs to be in the HOF. No question....
MLB needs to let more outstanding defensive players in the hall with his type of offensive stats. He was an elite ball player and a mastermind at his position
Transformed to. I went to games at Shea and loved watching him orchestrate the positions of other players based on the hitter. He was a student of the game. Super high baseball IQ.
@@ryukenhondaraiden ahh yes yes those advanced metrics haha. Dude there's no way Pujols and Mattingly are in the same league as Keith Hernandez defensively. Also we are here just celebrating Keith's recognition and amazing career...no one cares about Pujols or Mattingly here.
Hmmm...11 consecutive gold gloves, NL Batting Champ, NL MVP, 2,182 hits, .296 BA, 2 world series rings as a starter, batted over .300 7x, Mets & Cards HoF & more. But not in Cooperstown? Makes perfect sense. #17, the best defensive first baseman of all time. Hands down.
@@bethbogue3742 Kind of like barry bonds not being in the hall. Hernandez by a nose!!! By the way, our mustachioed sniffer can go to Cooperstown any time he wants. It’s only closed a few days a year.
Mr Keith was before my time. I was born in 1990, but I was born a Mets fan. My Grandpa and Mom sang his praises, my Mom still does (RIP Grandpa), and seeing this made me smile. He really as something else.
I'm watching this now, and getting really angry now about Keith not getting sent to the HOF. This compilation is a true clinic on how to play infield defense. His overall accomplishments were well above the par to make HOF. -Tulsa Oilers/StL Cards and occasional Mets fan.
It's because most people, the media included, don't understand baseball. They love power hitters. They don't understand OBP, clutch hitting, defense, baserunning, leadership, etc. Which is how Jim Rice gets into the Hall of Fame and Keith Hernandez doesn't. Which is why Tim Raines got in only after 9 years instesd of his first, and Bill Mazeroski had to wait for the Old Fogies' Committee. The Hall of Fame is a joke.
1:11 One of the best plays i have seen. Made me chuckle to also see Gary Carter was the third baseman. Baseball, especially the Mets, was so different back then.
Denying him the HOF for his lack of power numbers was one of MLB's biggest injustices. The number of runs he saved on defense was astounding, and he was one of the greatest clutch hitters in baseball, in addition to having a ton of hits., including doubles.
Keith Hernandez hit a homerun in April of '86 that is still uncredited to his stats. Those who saw Halley's Comet in 1986 remember where they were when Keith sent the ball into orbit.
A. The best 1st baseman in history by miles. You young bucks have no idea the absolute master he was. B. He was a clutch beast. He was just the ultimate competitor. C. Because of the silly baby rules implemented to appease people who don’t watch baseball you will never again see a baseball opera like game 6 against the Astros. Quite simply the greatest game ever played. Keith Hernandez for the Hall of Fame.
that 2nd play on this reel was unreal. That was ozzie smith running. He could turn the lights off and get into bed before the room was dark. lightning fast
Should be in , I forgot he’s not in the hall, if you watched Keith on a daily basis he was a special fielders, never saw other first basemen do what he did, kind of a Larry bird of the Mets , he made other teams react to his defense, plus he was a real good clutch hitter.
This goes to show how the HOF values offense dramatically more than defense. If 3000 hits or 500 home runs make you a guaranteed hall of famer, what's the defensive equivalent of that. How about 11 gold gloves, or the rules of baseball being changed because of how dominant you were at your position.
His offensive numbers aren't HOF-caliber, but he was the best defensive first baseman ever. Buck Showalter called him "a left-handed shortstop playing first base".
@@johnhunter2294 I never saw him play, but is there truth with stats he is the best defensive first baseman? How did he compare defenseivily to Mattingly?
@@joesmith9483 Where fielding at first base is concerned, there is Keith Hernandez, then everyone else. Don Mattingly was a great fielding first baseman, one of the top three to five I've ever seen, but Hernandez was unmatched with his range and how he ran the infield defense, especially when it involved fielding bunts. Hernandez is the only first baseman I've ever seen who was the focal point of the infield.
My mind is blown he’s not actually in the hall of fame I’m only watching this cause I saw him on Seinfeld and thought him winning 11 straight gold gloves was a jokes but wtf how is that possible he’s not in the HoF
@@DivineGainesAt this point you can't build a credible case as to why he SHOULDN'T be in the Hall. He is the greatest fielding 1st baseman in baseball history, regularly saving runs, errors etc. At the plate he was a great, cerebral hitter...seven season of .300+ (.344 in 1979, wins MVP, comes in 2nd MVP voting in 1984) almost 2,200 hits, over 1,000 rbi's. Had years where he would lead the league in walks, or doubles, or runs. Wins two World Series with signature moments in each. Didn't have a ton of home run power (though he did hit enougn to where you would have to think about it if you're pitcher
First, it was just about impossible to get a fair ball past him. Keith could dig them out of the dirt, make leaping catches, snag hot liners. He was so good on the pickoff play the league had to change the rules. But for me, and you don't hear this mentioned often, his best asset was receiving throws. Any kind of throw. Up the line, down the line, in the dirt, over his head. It's a great help to the other infielders to know that, on a close play, they can let it rip and Keith will come up with it.
He should be in the Hall of Fame. No doubt. Harold Baines didn't even play the field. Keith could hit and field and was a team leader who won an MVP. Hernandez, Mattingly, Dale Murphy and Dave Parker should all be in.
What about the 8th inning error that opened the floodgates for a five run Phillies 8th on June 16, 1987? Kramer and Newman's day was ruined! Nice game pretty boy!
He needs to be in the hall of fame. It is a travesty! He may not have the offensive numbers, but last I checked you need to play defense to win games too! He was the best to ever do it at his position. That should mean something to the Veterans committee!
I'm 70 yo, Keith is the Best 1st Baseman I ever saw play the game sice 1961 when I started to watch and play Baseball. No one played in the field better than Keith. A .296 Lifetime BA , Clutch Hitter, a Co-MVP, a Batiing Chmapion, and 11 Gold Gloves: Bingo Hall of Fame w/o a Doubt !!
when? when? they're taking their time.
It's a joke. Mattingly, Munson, Hernandez, it's anti NY prejudice.
@@anthonytripp2251 Hernandez by a nose. But keep on crying, champ.
Hernandez is widely considered to be the best defensive first baseman ever, and I have to say I agree.
Ozzie Smith was safe at first base
@@SSNESS, I played it in .25 speed. If you pause at the right moment, you can see the tag on his hip with space between Ozzie's foot and the bag. He was out. It was a good call.
Him and Don Mattingly....PICK EM!
@@bobbenbrown123 Hernandez by a nose.
@@SSNESS DYK Smith and Hernandez were teammates for one season in St Louis. Best defensive shortstop and best defensive first baseman ever, together. Also on the team was Jim Kaat, who won 15 GGs, I think, at pitcher.
The guy was awesome! He needs to go into the hall of fame! I don’t care what anyone says about him, he Keith Hernandez is a hall of famer!
wait what? not in the HOF? its just so wrong....
It is a shame he's not. Unfortunately the HOF looks for power numbers out of first basemen, but Keith was 1 of a kind. We'll never see another first baseman come close to 11 gold gloves ever again. He was a batting champ, 5x all star, 2x silver slugger, 2 world series (!), MVP (!!), 11 gold gloves (!!!). So he only hit 160 home runs in his career, so what?
He don’t belong in the hall of fame. KEITH BELONGS IN THE HALL OF SHAME!
1000%
@@Rak9-j8h I think Hernandez' exclusion from the hall has nothing to do with his numbers and everything to do with his history of drug use. I'm not saying I agree with it, only that I think that's the main reason he wasn't considered.
The homers shown in these highlights were all in chronological order from 1983, if you do the research on the game dates. Pretty impressive work by whoever put this together.
pretty impressive work by you figuring that out
@@alistairbarkus pretty impressive comment, taking the time to appreciate 8644mecs ability to recognize those chronological homers!
In a video about fielding prowess I’d have preferred more fielding clips I can’t find elsewhere on RUclips
@@nyydk42 pretty impressive comment by you to point that out.
4:25 that classic Shea Stadium roar!
I got Keiths new book on CD. It's great. Love hearing old baseball tales. Keith is a great guy. Great ball player. And best 1st baseman ever.
They could've just shown his mustache for 10 straight minutes and I would've been just as mesmerized
Happy Birthday Keith!
Arguably Best defensive first baseman of all time not in the hall. Imagine that.
Came up 17
That charge on the bunt in that crazy extra inning game in Cincinnati was the most amazing play I’ve ever seen. He was in foul territory when he threw to Carter who was playing third like he’d been there his whole career and unleashed a cannon throw to Teufel at first. Nobody spoiled a bunt better than Keith, nobody turned bunts into double plays better than Keith. Nobody. He should be in the Hall of Fame based on his defense alone.
He was my favorite player. lol I was in high school when he got traded to the Mets and I cried. I loved the Cards and Keith. probably will never live that down but don't care. After some therapy, I became a Mets fan. lol. Keith needs to be in the HOF. No question....
MLB needs to let more outstanding defensive players in the hall with his type of offensive stats. He was an elite ball player and a mastermind at his position
Also 1979 MVP
The greatest fielding 1B
I ever seen....Donny Baseball was no slouch either...I was raised watching Two legends!
My all-time favorite was the "Boomer" George Scott , but Keith Hernandez was from another planet ... man oh man was he amazing !
the best 1st basemen in new york mets history period.
In baseball
Keith Hernandez is arguably the greatest defensive first baseman in the history of baseball.
Not arguable. No doubt #1
Transformed to. I went to games at Shea and loved watching him orchestrate the positions of other players based on the hitter. He was a student of the game. Super high baseball IQ.
well the advance metrics say pujols and mattingly just as good.
@@ryukenhondaraiden ahh yes yes those advanced metrics haha. Dude there's no way Pujols and Mattingly are in the same league as Keith Hernandez defensively. Also we are here just celebrating Keith's recognition and amazing career...no one cares about Pujols or Mattingly here.
@@ryukenhondaraiden the metrics werent as good when keith played.
DRS and UZR started in 02 and 03. so its tough to compare guys like pujols and keith
Came for the Hernandez web gems. Stayed for Carter playing third, McCarver saying "bad motorscooter," and Seaver back with the Mets in 1983!
Hmmm...11 consecutive gold gloves, NL Batting Champ, NL MVP, 2,182 hits, .296 BA, 2 world series rings as a starter, batted over .300 7x, Mets & Cards HoF & more. But not in Cooperstown? Makes perfect sense. #17, the best defensive first baseman of all time. Hands down.
I think his exclusion was because of his very public troubles with drug use, not because his numbers weren't enough.
@@bethbogue3742 Kind of like barry bonds not being in the hall.
Hernandez by a nose!!!
By the way, our mustachioed sniffer can go to Cooperstown any time he wants. It’s only closed a few days a year.
We love you Keith🙏🏾 The vets committee will finally put you in the hall I know it
Most gold gloves of any First Baseman plus MVP 2 World Series. Guess he needed 500 homeruns😔
@@jakesorrentino7230 but Ozzie Smith, Barry Larkin or Tony Oliva didn't hit 500 homeruns
@@rafaelramirez1507 first baseman are expected to have more power unfortunately
Mr Keith was before my time. I was born in 1990, but I was born a Mets fan. My Grandpa and Mom sang his praises, my Mom still does (RIP Grandpa), and seeing this made me smile. He really as something else.
I'm watching this now, and getting really angry now about Keith not getting sent to the HOF. This compilation is a true clinic on how to play infield defense. His overall accomplishments were well above the par to make HOF. -Tulsa Oilers/StL Cards and occasional Mets fan.
It's because most people, the media included, don't understand baseball. They love power hitters. They don't understand OBP, clutch hitting, defense, baserunning, leadership, etc. Which is how Jim Rice gets into the Hall of Fame and Keith Hernandez doesn't. Which is why Tim Raines got in only after 9 years instesd of his first, and Bill Mazeroski had to wait for the Old Fogies' Committee. The Hall of Fame is a joke.
I love Keith so much, just bought tickets to his number retirement game! 🍎
He was just smart and intense. A rare talent. Guy was a winner and a slick fielder.
Me too!
I plan to do so as well.
I’m going to old timers day but if love to see them honor Keith too!
I never got to watch him play but he's my favorite Met from the '86 team. Easily one of the greatest players in Mets history.
Even though I am a lifelong Yankee fan, Keith was one of my all time favorite players.
Keith Hernandez belongs in the Hall of Fame in my estimation.⚾🇺🇲
Thank you, Keith for entertaining us all. You're the goods, bro
1:11
One of the best plays i have seen. Made me chuckle to also see Gary Carter was the third baseman. Baseball, especially the Mets, was so different back then.
Keith was my idol growing up
Thanks for the video, it was great to watch. I was born in the 90s so I didnt get to witness this great time.
We're probably the same age but thanks to videos I found out about him
One of the most dangerous and clutch hitters of all times. Hall of famer for sure, no doubt about it, if you're a baseball fan, you would agree.
He’s Keith Hernandez!
Nice stretch play by 2B Tim Teufel there covering first base.
Denying him the HOF for his lack of power numbers was one of MLB's biggest injustices. The number of runs he saved on defense was astounding, and he was one of the greatest clutch hitters in baseball, in addition to having a ton of hits., including doubles.
It isn’t just the athleticism, it’s the knowledge. He had that bunt at third almost as soon as it left the bat. Good lord.
Cardinals had Hernandez and Ozzie at their absolute peaks in the same infield. Unfair. 24 gold gloves between them.
That is one Magic lugie
my all time fav.
Who is watching this right before the number retirement?
Baseball will always be my favourite sport
Keith Hernandez hit a homerun in April of '86 that is still uncredited to his stats. Those who saw Halley's Comet in 1986 remember where they were when Keith sent the ball into orbit.
"Still uncredited to his stats"?
Show his Cards highlights and you'll really
see how good he was.
Not only great glove but Mr Clutch
ive never seen video of keith hitting opposite field homerun. its obvious his by watching this he loved the low inside pitch to drive
Nice career, pretty boy! 😁
A. The best 1st baseman in history by miles. You young bucks have no idea the absolute master he was.
B. He was a clutch beast. He was just the ultimate competitor.
C. Because of the silly baby rules implemented to appease people who don’t watch baseball you will never again see a baseball opera like game 6 against the Astros. Quite simply the greatest game ever played.
Keith Hernandez for the Hall of Fame.
I never had Tim McCarver pegged for a Montrose fan. 2:33
Keith Hernandez has a sexy stash... Here’s why
The best glove at 1B ever!
He arrived in 1983 too late to make a difference. But did he make a difference after that! The greatest deal the Mets ever made
that 2nd play on this reel was unreal. That was ozzie smith running. He could turn the lights off and get into bed before the room was dark. lightning fast
Who does this guy think he is?
I'm Keith Hernandez.
Keith was the best, no question.
Nice highlight video, I don't know of anyone. Who played first base like that, especially for the Mets
Pete Alonso the next 1B star
And he never pointed to his glove like Stro after making a play.
It's nice to see Keith Hernandez rob Ozzie Smith of a hit. One all-time defensive great robbing another!!
Should be in , I forgot he’s not in the hall, if you watched Keith on a daily basis he was a special fielders, never saw other first basemen do what he did, kind of a Larry bird of the Mets , he made other teams react to his defense, plus he was a real good clutch hitter.
That charge on the bent is 😮
Why Keith Fernandez isn't in the HOF is beyond me
This goes to show how the HOF values offense dramatically more than defense. If 3000 hits or 500 home runs make you a guaranteed hall of famer, what's the defensive equivalent of that. How about 11 gold gloves, or the rules of baseball being changed because of how dominant you were at your position.
No one covered the bunt like Hernandez.mattingley was close behind
AL hitters didn't bunt with the frequency that NL hitters (including pitchers) did.
Keith was a borderline hall of famer.
Keith and Doc should be hall of famers
His offensive numbers aren't HOF-caliber, but he was the best defensive first baseman ever. Buck Showalter called him "a left-handed shortstop playing first base".
@@johnhunter2294 I never saw him play, but is there truth with stats he is the best defensive first baseman? How did he compare defenseivily to Mattingly?
@@joesmith9483 Where fielding at first base is concerned, there is Keith Hernandez, then everyone else. Don Mattingly was a great fielding first baseman, one of the top three to five I've ever seen, but Hernandez was unmatched with his range and how he ran the infield defense, especially when it involved fielding bunts. Hernandez is the only first baseman I've ever seen who was the focal point of the infield.
@@joesmith9483 Donny took a lot of cues from Keith on how to play defensively. Both were legends.
1:13 that's insane where he is fielding that bunt!
My mind is blown he’s not actually in the hall of fame I’m only watching this cause I saw him on Seinfeld and thought him winning 11 straight gold gloves was a jokes but wtf how is that possible he’s not in the HoF
@@DivineGainesAt this point you can't build a credible case as to why he SHOULDN'T be in the Hall. He is the greatest fielding 1st baseman in baseball history, regularly saving runs, errors etc. At the plate he was a great, cerebral hitter...seven season of .300+ (.344 in 1979, wins MVP, comes in 2nd MVP voting in 1984) almost 2,200 hits, over 1,000 rbi's. Had years where he would lead the league in walks, or doubles, or runs. Wins two World Series with signature moments in each.
Didn't have a ton of home run power (though he did hit enougn to where you would have to think about it if you're pitcher
0:57 The Oz Man was safe.
Impossible ‼️👏👏 This couldn’t happen today‼️
First, it was just about impossible to get a fair ball past him. Keith could dig them out of the dirt, make leaping catches, snag hot liners.
He was so good on the pickoff play the league had to change the rules.
But for me, and you don't hear this mentioned often, his best asset was receiving throws. Any kind of throw. Up the line, down the line, in the dirt, over his head. It's a great help to the other infielders to know that, on a close play, they can let it rip and Keith will come up with it.
Good friends with George Costanza
Tim McCarver is right, Keith Hernandez IS a bad motor scooter.
I was always a Hernandez fan. I wouldn't help him move though.
Keith was basically the Brooks Robinson of 1B.
Having keith at 1st was like Ozzie at ss. Circus plays almost every game.
#17 THE MAN!😎
He should be in the Hall of Fame. No doubt. Harold Baines didn't even play the field. Keith could hit and field and was a team leader who won an MVP. Hernandez, Mattingly, Dale Murphy and Dave Parker should all be in.
All 7's. The Subway, the WS games, you get it
Yes the fielding is amazing but what a pretty swing he had
What about the 8th inning error that opened the floodgates for a five run Phillies 8th on June 16, 1987? Kramer and Newman's day was ruined!
Nice game pretty boy!
But still... did he got to second base with Elaine? 😂😂
My ChildHood Hero
Many HOF 1baseman hit better , but the question is which of them out glove him . ? They don’t make those plays . And that was a small sample .
Why aren’t the last two minutes defensive highlights tho?
Some guys should never wear a ‘stache. And for some it’s gosh-darned MANDATORY. Selleck. General Ambrose Burnside. And Keith Hernandez.
Someone in MLB and the hateful press please tell me why this man is not in the Hall Of Fame.
Someone’s holding a grudge
Should be a HOF . Baseball politics
Keith is kept out of the hall of fame due to the fact that he wasnt much of a power hitter and first baseman is seen as a power hitter position.
I wonder if it's more because of his very public troubles with drug use. Either way, he'll always be one of the greatest first basemen of all time.
@@bethbogue3742 They inducted plenty of dudes with substance issues so its doubtful. Maybe a handful of guys have that as their reason but not many.
Next stop: Cooperstown for Mex
Chills
I don't think there were any First Baseman better on Dee.
Seinfeld on Netflix brought me here!
Carter at 3rd base 😮
Who came from Seinfeld?
if hitting for the cycle in extra innings counts, then i'm counting andy hawkins no-hitter.
He needs to be in the hall of fame. It is a travesty! He may not have the offensive numbers, but last I checked you need to play defense to win games too! He was the best to ever do it at his position. That should mean something to the Veterans committee!
He had great numbers but more importantly..
He was clutch. Always got the big hit. He always hit those gappers
It sucks defenders get ignored for the most part by Cooperstown.
He really should be HOF. There is anti NY prejudice
The cycle counts for Gold Gloves?
However Congrats Keith!
MEX should be in Cooperstown.
Yeah Old Man Simpson, Mr Fundies, could play.
i figured he was good enough to win at least a few gg's but 11?
no buckner errors with keith!
Where are all my dogs at
Its a travesty that KEITH is not in the HALL OF FAME
Why isn't Keith Hernandez in the HOF? Politics, man. We all know the truth.
HOW IS HE NOT IN THE HOF?
Should be in the HALL OF FAME>