The Los Angeles Dodgers re-signed several of their key free agents this past offseason, but saw the likes of Kiké Hernandez and Joc Pederson depart for bigger roles with other clubs.
Hernandez signed with the Boston Red Sox and so far has appeared in all 18 games to begin the regular season. Pederson joined the Chicago Cubs and similarly has played in each of the club’s first 16 games.
Both players enjoyed lengthy stints with the Dodgers and were instrumental in the organization ending its championship drought last year.
Pederson may receive his 2020 World Series ring in two weeks when the Dodgers travel to Wrigley Field to take on the Cubs, or later in the year when the teams meet at Dodger Stadium. As for Hernandez, he will not have an opportunity to face his former teammates this season.
Knowing this, the Dodgers have already sent Hernandez his 2020 World Series ring, which he shared on Twitter:
FOREVER CHAMP! 💍 #RecordarEsVivir pic.twitter.com/JZLpi37AeT
— Enrique Hernández (@kikehndez) April 20, 2021
Hernandez struggled in his final season with the Dodgers, but came up big when it mattered most. He hit a pinch-hit, game-tying, solo home run off Atlanta Braves reliever A.J. Minter in Game 7 of the 2020 National League Championship Series that set the stage for Cody Bellinger’s game-winning blast the following inning.
Hernandez has jumped out to a much better start this season, hitting .254/.289/.437 with four doubles, three home runs and seven RBI across 76 plate appearances.
The Red Sox currently boast the best record in the American League at 12-6 and recently were on a nine-game winning streak.
FOCO releases limited edition Dodgers World Series bobblehead of Kiké Hernandez
FOCO has continued to commemorate the Dodgers winning the 2020 World Series through limited releases of bobbleheads, with the latest being a Hernandez version that went on sale Tuesday morning.
The Hernandez bobblehead was numbered out of 400 and old out immediately.
Last week FOCO released Dodgers World Series bobbleheads of Joe Kelly, Tommy Lasorda and Will Smith. The Kelly version is a three-foot bobblehead and remains available for purchase, while the Lasorda and Smith models instantly sold out.
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