Dodgers: Kiké Hernández shares emotional goodbye to Los Angeles

Dodgers spark plug Kiké Hernández is moving on to a starting role in Boston.

The Los Angeles Dodgers knew they couldn’t make room for a reunion with Kiké Hernández this offseason, but at least Hollywood’s playoff hero went out on the highest of high notes.

Though his three-homer game in Chicago in 2017 will eternally be his personal masterpiece, the Game 7 game-tying blast he smacked against the Braves paved the way for the ring he’d probably earned for the city three years prior.

After the confetti fell, Hernández began in earnest his search for a starting role, something the Dodgers couldn’t provide with so many other pieces up in the air.

Ultimately, Hernández inked a two-year deal with the Boston Red Sox, and finally gathered his thoughts in an official goodbye to the people of Los Angeles on Thursday night.

And, yes, it’s a heartstring tugger.

DEAR LA,

I LOVE YOU FOREVER!!

THANK YOU!! pic.twitter.com/kSIAwJiOt9
— Enrique Hernández (@kikehndez) January 29, 2021

Much like Kobe Bryant’s “Dear Basketball,” this video that starts “Dear LA” packs a punch.

From the fans, to his teammates, to the team’s staff, Hernández made sure to thank everyone personally for making his family feel at home, as well as for all the (extremely) good times.

And yes, he got all the inside jokes in there, from “Let Kiké Catch” to his infamous appearance on the mound.

Naturally, the best fans in baseball showed up in Hernández’s mentions to make sure he knew he was loved by the masses — and always would be.

...was awesome for the @Dodgers, but even better for me. Our first born arrived that day and we watched the game with him. True bliss. Thanks for being a small part of one of the best days of my life. Good luck and thx from LA and the Beckett’s. 👊 pic.twitter.com/ScjQIEsDgg
— Wade Beckett (@wadebeckett) January 29, 2021

This relationship was mutual, and we suspect that the extremely affable Hernández won’t receive the same scorn that your typical LA athlete does when he crosses the line over to Boston, and vice versa.

Rivalry excluded, Hernández is a player who certainly deserves a full 162 games to prove his mettle, even though his true self might only reveal itself in the postseason.

If the Red Sox manage to get back there anytime soon, the Dodgers will be more than ready for their secret weapon.

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