The Dodgers’ very own Mr. October is back, and making sure everyone knows it. Kike Hernandez, hitting .313 this postseason, has once again come alive when the World Series ring seems closer. After rejoining the Dodgers in February on a one-year, $6.5 million deal, the utility man struggled through the regular season, batting just .233. But as soon as October rolled around, Hernandez was right back in his element.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts summed it up perfectly. “Kike in October is truly special. His record speaks for itself. He’s one of the greatest postseason players in history.” But the funny thing is, when Hernandez first returned to L.A., he himself didn’t expect to stick around for long. Now, he’s reminding everyone why October just isn’t the same without him.

“I was hoping I’d be traded again because looking at the Dodger roster at the time, I thought I was going to make a career out of Triple-A baseball.” Dodgers Nation quoted Hernandez. “Andrew Friedman got on the phone with me and said their plans were real with me. They were looking for players like me, as far as playing different positions. And I was saying to myself, Alright, sure. I’ll believe it when I see it.”

Back in 2015, the Dodgers’ roster was as stacked as it is today. With big names like Adrian Gonzalez and Joc Pederson heating up at the plate, it wasn’t exactly easy for a newcomer like Hernandez to find his place. Most people figured he’d either be traded or stuck in Triple-A. But, as we now know, things turned out quite differently.

Hernandez broke through that year, appearing in 76 games and finishing the season with an impressive .836 OPS. He eventually went on to spend five more seasons with the Dodgers, even helping them capture the 2020 World Series title. And then, in 2023, Kike was traded back to LA from Boston, and since then, his utility has been undeniable.

Now, what makes Kike so special isn’t just his bat, but his versatility.

Notably, he’s played every position on the field except catcher. It’s not just Shohei Ohtani doing double duty. Hernaandez has even taken the mound a few times himself, proving there’s just about nothing he can’t do for this team. Back in June, Hernandez took the mound against the Padres.

So, there’s enough reason for the Dodgers to stay with Hernandez, despite his initial thought of leaving LA.

The Dodgers’ fan favorite is not without controversy

Hernandez’s long stay with the Dodgers is storied with his fair share of controversies, too.

Back in April, Hernandez made headlines for his fashion choices.

He showed off a piece of clothing that, while eye-catching, left a lot to be desired in taste.

Since his MLB debut, Kike has always marched to the beat of his own drum in a league known for being pretty conservative. He even stirred up controversy by wearing a cap with offensive slurs, which reportedly led one teammate to complain directly to manager Dave Roberts. And off the field, too, he’s been outspoken on social issues, being one of the first Dodgers to voice concern during the recent ICE raids in LA.

Whether on or off the field, Hernandez isn’t afraid to go against the flow. Sure, it brings some controversies, but it also adds to his unique value. For the Dodgers, you might not always like him, but you definitely can’t ignore him.