Los Angeles Dodgers utility man Kiké Hernández revealed on The Shop that his viral interview after Game 5 of the National League Division Series, which featured an emphatic F-bomb, nearly got him suspended by MLB.
Hernández played a pivotal role in the Dodgers’ NLDS victory over the Padres, hitting a solo home run in the decisive Game 5. His excitement was evident in the post-game interview. When asked about the Dodgers’ ability to close out in the playoffs, Hernandez didn’t hold back, and even ensured that his message would make it to those watching on television;
“Are we live,” Hernandez asked. The interviewer confirmed. “The fact that we don’t give a f—,” Hernandez said plainly.
The rare moment of uninhibited candor went viral for obvious reasons. But behind the scenes the powers that be frowned upon the act.
Dodgers, Kike Hernandez Reveals Near-Suspension For F-Bomb
“I did get fined for that.” Hernandez told The Shop. “I was going to get an even heftier fine, and I was going to get a game suspension, but having a good agent and having a good player union came in handy. They got rid of the suspension, and they got to lower the fine a little bit, which was good. I did have to apologize, which you could say 50/50 on the honesty part of it.“
“What I answered was my honest answer from the bottom of my heart, and I didn’t think there was any other way of describing the team. I felt like I had already taken a while to think about my answer because I didn’t want to answer it that way. But when I asked if we were live, he said yes, and I figured, ‘There’s got to be some sort of delay.’ There was no delay, and I was on live TV cussing. And there was a lot of criticizing that.”
Despite initial concerns about potential league repercussions, Hernández’s passionate outburst did not lead to any disciplinary action. Instead, he went on to have a strong postseason, hitting .294 with two home runs, six RBIs, and eight runs scored aiding the Dodgers in securing their second World Series in four years.