In a Dodgers locker room where big names like Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman dominate the headlines, there’s one man fans call simply: Kiké. Not because of his impressive stats, but because of his heart. Because in the modern era of baseball, where fame and fortune often overshadow everything else, Kiké Hernández stands there—loyal, dedicated, and always willing to sacrifice for the blue jersey of Los Angeles.

Since returning to the Dodgers in 2023 after a stint with the Red Sox, Hernández has reminded fans why he was such an integral part of the 2020 championship—and especially the 2024 World Series. He’s more than just a player who can play every position short of catcher; he’s a spark plug in the big games. A game-winning home run, a great save, or simply a laugh in the dugout—Kiké was always there.

But paradoxically, the man with the warrior spirit was not on the field.

Entering the 2025 season, Dave Roberts—who once praised Hernández as a “Swiss Army knife”—often benched him. Even before a left elbow injury landed him on the injured list on July 7, Kiké was struggling to make the starting lineup. With a .195 average and eight home runs in 71 games, he was clearly no longer at his peak. But what Kiké brought to the table was stability in the locker room, an ability to play in emergencies at any position, and a certain confidence as October approached.

So why was such a guy left out?

That question set social media ablaze when Kiké turned down lucrative offers from the Yankees and Tigers – some in the hundreds of millions of dollars – to stay with the Dodgers. His answer was summed up in four Spanish words: “¿$550 millones? ¡QUÉDATELOS!” – “550 million? Keep it!” A short, proud oath. But is the team worthy of such loyalty?

With injuries and a thin roster, fans have been clamoring for Roberts to give Kiké a chance again. They remember the moment of his decisive homer against the Royals, and the feeling of security every time he held the glove. On forums, messages like “Kiké is the soul of the Dodgers” and “Let him play more” prove that Hernández’s value lies not in his OPS or WAR – but in his heart.

Dave Roberts, with the pressure of balancing big stars with young talent, may be facing a difficult problem. But in sports, there are things that cannot be solved by logic. Belief, inspiration and temperament do not show up in statistics – they show up in unexpected moments.

And if the Dodgers are to go far this October, they will need more than just stars. They will need a warrior – in the name of Kiké.