Los Angeles Dodgers utility man Kiké Hernandez and his father, Enrique Sr., will be among the party riding on the City of Hope float in the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day. The 2018 float is themed “Transforming Lives with Hope,” mixes well with parade’s theme of “Making A Difference.”
In addition to Hernandez and his father, the City of Hope float will carry former Dodgers general manager Fred Claire and 11 physicians and their patients through the streets of Pasadena.
Hernandez’s connection to the City of Hope Medical Center was established in 2016, when his father was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. He received treatment throughout the year and the myeloma is in remission.
With the diagnosis weighing on him, Hernandez endured the worst season of his young career. As his father rebounded in 2017, so did Hernandez with the Dodgers.
Hernandez was back to being his fun-loving, upbeat self, and proceeded to hit .215/.308/.421 with 24 doubles, two triples, 11 home runs and 37 RBI. He set career highs in games played (140), total hits (64), doubles, home runs and RBI.
Hernandez punctuated his year with a three-home run effort against the Chicago Cubs in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series. His performance led the Dodgers in an 11-1 rout that propelled the team to their first World Series appearance since 1988.
The 129th Rose Parade begins Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, and is projected to last over two hours. It will be carried live on several local TV stations.
