"It's hard to stop being myself" - Kike Hernandez reveals how he turns off his clown act for game-time focus

Modified Apr 02, 2025 02:35 GMT

MLB: Spring Training-Los Angeles Angels at Los Angeles Dodgers - Source: Imagn

Kike Hernandez has had an amazing start to his 2025 MLB campaign with the Dodgers. The 33-year-old Puerto Rican featured in the Tokyo Series against the Cubs and then in game 1 of a three-game series against the Braves on Monday. He has already crushed two home runs, registered four RBIs, with a .167 batting average and .821 OPS.

On Tuesday, video creator 'Bat Boys Baseball' linked up with Hernandez ahead of the game against Atlanta. He asked Kike about his pregame routine ahead of gameday action and whether he incorporated something new in it. Hernandez replied:

"Pregame meditation. I do a little mental imagery that my mental performance coach prepares for me and it's kinda what I use to like cut my clowness and get into game mode. Cause it's hard sometimes to stop being myself."

Next, Kike Hernandez delivered the exact timeline when he incorporated this pregame ritual in his career. He added:

"I did it halfway through the 2023 season. I was having a really hard time in Boston both offensively and defensively and I needed something to slow down my brain and I started working with him. I liked it, felt like it helped carried on to last year and then I'm gonna keep using him this year."

Take a look at the video here:

Kike is a two-time World Series champion with the Dodgers and played an integral role in the franchise's eighth Fall Classic title last year. He finished the 2024 season with 12 home runs, 42 RBIs, .229 batting average, and .654 OPS. His startling performances in both departments of the game during the playoffs helped the team see off some important wins.

Kike Hernandez is a certified Bad Bunny fan

In the same interview, Kike Hernandez showcased his love and appreciation for Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny and reflected on his favorite albums by the rapper. Kike said:

"YHLQMDLG got me through COVID. Un Verano Sin Ti was unbelievable. Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Manana was epic. He keeps topping himself off which is unbelievable, hats off to him... I feel I can say that about every single one of em is my favorite."

Dodgers will play two more games against the Braves to close the series on Wednesday before travelling to Philadelphia to take on the Phillies in a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park, starting Friday.

About the author

Karan has been a baseball sports betting expert, analyst and content strategist at Sportskeeda since 2022. He holds a Master's degree in Sports Management from Virginia Commonwealth University, and worked with the VCU Rams baseball team as a trackman analyst. He started following the sport at 18, watching postseason on television.

Karan is a fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers owing to their successful history in the sport, and their consistent performances at the highest level. He admires Mookie Betts’ on-field defensive and offensive prowess, along with his off-field charitable exploits, while Bruce Bochy is his favorite coach.

The Mets’ miraculous rally from a two-run deficit in the 1986 World Series Game 6 in the bottom of the 10th inning despite being two outs and two strikes down is his all-time favorite baseball moment.

Karan’s strengths are player profiling and technical deep dives, for which he always refers to reliable sources such as the social media handles of the best MLB analysts.

When not strategizing, he likes to read, listen to music, go for a run, and watch sit-coms.

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Edited by Vaishnavi Iyer