FOCO is selling a new Kiké Hernández bobblehead to commemorate his return to the Los Angeles Dodgers after a trade with the Boston Red Sox on Monday.
The bobblehead portrays Hernández in a white Dodgers home uniform, with a Los Angeles cityscape backdrop, highway sign and incorporation of Dodger Stadium as well.
“Welcome Back to Los Angeles” in text is displayed across the freeway sign to celebrate Hernández returning to the Dodgers. The new bobblehead is limited to 96 units and won’t be restocked once quantities sell out.
Hernández is back with the Dodgers after playing for the team six seasons from 2015-2020. His tenure in L.A. ended with the Dodgers winning the 2020 World Series.
Hernández went on to sign a two-year, $14 million contract with the Red Sox, who provided him with an everyday opportunity. The Red Sox then signed Hernández to a one-year, $10 million contract extension last September with a plan to have him play center field.
Hernández instead was needed at shortstop, where he uncharacteristically struggled. The 31-year-old also didn’t generate much consistency at the plate, and wound up being squeezed out by a Red Sox roster crunch.
“It feels different, because I was playing for another team yesterday. A lot has changed. Some great memories that you think you never forget, but you don’t have time to think about because you’re playing for another team,” Hernández said before putting on a Dodgers uniform once again.
“And then as soon as you come back to the stadium, take the elevator and walk in, the trophy room and all that, it all starts to come back. It’s weird to be here. It feels like it’s been forever, but at the same time it feels like it was yesterday that I was here. There’s so many emotions. I don’t even know how to put them all into words.”
Why Kiké Hernández is wearing 8 with Dodgers
Due to the Dodgers retiring No. 14 for Gil Hodges last season, Hernández needed to find a new jersey number. What he wore with the Red Sox — No. 5 — also wasn’t available with the Dodgers due to it belonging to Freddie Freeman.
Hernández settled on No. 8, both as an ode to Dodgers coach Bob Geren, but also Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. Along with being a fan of the five-time champion, Mamba Day — August 24 — is also Hernández’s birthday.
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