
USA Today via Reuters
MLB, Baseball Herren, USA World Series-Los Angeles Dodgers at Houston Astros, Oct 29, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Kike Hernandez (14) celebrates with teammates Joc Pederson (31) and Yasiel Puig (66) after scoring a run against the Houston Astros in the 7th inning in game five of the 2017 World Series at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports, 29.10.2017 22:41:09, 10381102, Houston Astros, MLB, Kike Hernandez, Los Angeles Dodgers, NPStrans, Minute Maid Park, Yasiel Puig, TopPic, Joc Pederson Copyright: xTroyxTaorminax 10381102

USA Today via Reuters
MLB, Baseball Herren, USA World Series-Los Angeles Dodgers at Houston Astros, Oct 29, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Kike Hernandez (14) celebrates with teammates Joc Pederson (31) and Yasiel Puig (66) after scoring a run against the Houston Astros in the 7th inning in game five of the 2017 World Series at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports, 29.10.2017 22:41:09, 10381102, Houston Astros, MLB, Kike Hernandez, Los Angeles Dodgers, NPStrans, Minute Maid Park, Yasiel Puig, TopPic, Joc Pederson Copyright: xTroyxTaorminax 10381102
If you’re looking for a true character in MLB, someone who blends talent, humor, and just the right amount of mischief, you can’t help but think of the Dodgers’ Kike Hernandez. He’s not just a slugger—he’s a walking highlight reel of quirks and comic relief. Remember that marathon 14-inning game back in 2015? While sidelined with a hamstring injury, most players would’ve kept a low profile. But that’s not Hernandez.
He strolled into the dugout dressed head-to-toe in a bright yellow banana suit, instantly becoming the most talked-about non-participant of the night. And that’s only part of the story. This is a guy who’s been known to take the mound for the occasional pitching stint, just to keep things interesting. He’s the kind of player who can turn a quiet dugout into a stage. And yet, amid the jokes and pranks, he knows when to use his antics for something bigger, something with heart.
And again, the man came up with another distinctive antic, but this time with a heartwarming message! “KIKITO coming soon!” was a brief, three-word caption Hernandez shared on his Instagram account, alongside a picture of himself and his wife.
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Dropped the happy news, Hernandez and his wife Mariana are expecting their second child, already nicknamed Kikito. And in true Kike fashion, the announcement wasn’t your typical polished family photo. Instead, both he and Mariana posed while showing off their baby bumps… Yes, Kike had one too!
Fans who’ve been around since his last big life update probably saw this coming. Back in 2021, when they were expecting their first daughter, Hernandez couldn’t resist making the announcement a comedy moment. He posed right alongside Mariana, sporting a fake pregnancy belly, and even leaned in to kiss her bump, while cradling his own.
And that playful, slightly ridiculous touch instantly won over Dodgers fans, who shared the photos everywhere. Now, a few years later, Hernandez has brought the humor back for baby number two. So yeah, it’s the perfect mix of funny, sweet, and uniquely him. It’s a family announcement that doubles as a reminder that he’s always game for a laugh, even in life’s biggest moments.
With these latest antics, Hernandez continues his peppy yet cinematic family life that started with his first sight of his wife. If you don’t know, Hernandez’s love story with his wife is nothing less than a Tinseltown romance!
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Kike Hernandez’s modern baseball romance
While most fans recall Hernandez’s 428-foot solo home run against the Padres in Game 5 of the 2024 NLDS, he is a clutch player when it comes to his personal life, too. Back in early 2015, he was kicking back watching Hot Tub Time Machine 2 when one actress on screen caught his attention—Mariana Vicente. Curious, he did some quick Googling and learned she was Puerto Rican like him. She was living in Los Angeles and was a former Miss Universe Puerto Rico. And that was enough for him to take the next step in the most modern way possible—sliding into her DMs.

via Getty
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 02: Kike Hernandez and Mariana Hernandez arrive at the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation’s 2024 Blue Diamond Gala at Dodger Stadium on May 02, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
And that’s how another one-of-a-kind love story from Hernandez’s book began! Their love story is pure Hernandez—spontaneous but thoughtful, fun but genuine, full of little moments that matter more than any grand gesture. That same easygoing approach spills over into how he handles baseball’s biggest stages, never overthinking, never letting the pressure crush the joy out of the moment.
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So, whether he’s hitting three homers in a playoff game, joking around with a fake pregnancy belly, or taking life one laugh at a time, Hernandez is a walking reminder that staying cool, keeping perspective, and finding joy in the everyday is the best way to live happily. We just hope that with the arrival of Kikito, we will see an even better, if not the best, version of Hernandez.
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