Keith Hernandez, the former first baseman turned broadcaster for the New York Mets, is still reaping the rewards from his memorable guest appearance on the iconic sitcom ‘Seinfeld’ back in the early '90s. Hernandez played a fictionalized version of himself in the double-episode titled ‘The Boyfriend,’ which aired in February 1992. In this classic storyline, Hernandez found himself in a comical love triangle with Jerry Seinfeld and Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ character, Elaine Benes.
The plot thickens as Seinfeld and Benes vie for Hernandez’s attention, while he also faces a humorous accusation of hurling a “loogie” during a fictional game against the Philadelphia Phillies. In a twist, it’s revealed that the real culprit was Roger McDowell.
Despite the comedic chaos, Hernandez continues to earn a tidy sum annually from these episodes, reportedly close to $5,000, as he shared with Jimmy Traina on ‘SI Media’. “It’s the gift that keeps giving,” Hernandez remarked, highlighting his role as the guest star.
In the show, Hernandez’s character faced a romantic setback when Benes ended their relationship after he lit a cigarette on a date. However, he made a brief, non-speaking return for the series finale in 1998. The enduring popularity of ‘The Boyfriend’ episodes, which garnered significant acclaim and even a Writers Guild of America nomination for Best Episodic Comedy, speaks to their lasting impact.
Beyond his sitcom fame, Hernandez has carved out an impressive career as a sportscaster. At 72, he’s an Emmy Award-winning commentator, calling Mets games alongside Gary Cohen and Ron Darling since 1998. While the ‘Seinfeld’ royalties won’t fund a retirement, they surely add a nice bonus for doing nothing more than being part of television history.