Sunday, July 8, 2018

Phillies Missing Links of the 2000s - #19 Jose Hernandez

#8
Jose Antonio Hernandez
Infield

An All-Star with the Brewers in 2002, Jose Hernandez ended his 15-year Major League playing career with 18 games for the contending 2006 Phillies.  Hernandez was one of a trio of veterans acquired in August along with Jamie Moyer and Jeff Conine to help the Phillies attempt a run on the N.L. Wild Card.  The team had purged the clubhouse of veteran leadership (and hefty salaries) in July with the departures of Bobby Abreu, Cory Lidle, David Bell, Sal Fasano, Rheal Cormier and Ryan Franklin.  With the youngsters now leading the way, suddenly the Phillies were in contention again.

12 of his 18 games with the Phillies saw him used as either a pinch-hitter or a pinch-runner, although he did receive four starts at third base and a start in right field.  His biggest hit with the club was a grand slam on September 18th off the Cubs' Sean Marshall in a game the Phillies would eventually lose 11-6.  Hernandez departed following the season, signing with the Pirates.  He'd spend the entire 2007 season playing for Triple-A Indianapolis before playing two final professional seasons in Mexico in 2008 and 2009.

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'1"  Weight:  180
Born:  July 14, 1969, Rio Piedras, PR
Signed:  Signed by the Texas Rangers as an amateur free agent, January 13, 1987
Major League Teams:  Texas Rangers 1991; Cleveland Indians 1992; Chicago Cubs 1994-1999; Atlanta Braves 1999; Milwaukee Brewers 2000-2002; Colorado Rockies 2003; Chicago Cubs 2003; Pittsburgh Pirates 2003; Los Angeles Dodgers 2004; Cleveland Indians 2005; Pittsburgh Pirates 2006; Phillies 2006
Professional Affiliations:  Texas Rangers 1987-1991; Cleveland Indians 1992; Chicago Cubs 1994-1999; Atlanta Braves 1999; Milwaukee Brewers 2000-2002; Colorado Rockies 2003; Chicago Cubs 2003; Pittsburgh Pirates 2003; Los Angeles Dodgers 2004; Cleveland Indians 2005; Pittsburgh Pirates 2006; Phillies 2006; Pittsburgh Pirates 2007; Leones de Yucatan (Mexico) 2008-2009

Phillies Career
18 games, .250 (8 for 32) with a grand slam and 7 RBIs
Acquired:  August 22, 2006 - Purchased from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Debut:  August 24, 2006 - Pinch-hit for Brian Sanches in the 5th inning, remained in the game at shortstop and collected two hits in an eventual 11-2 loss to the Cubs.
Final Game:  October 1, 2006 - In the final game of the season in Miami, pinch-hit again for Sanches, striking out in the 8th against Renyel Pinto.
Departed:  October 31, 2006 - Granted free agency and signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates, January 15, 2007.

1 Hernandez Baseball Card in My Collection
2006 Upper Deck #763

Complete Chachi Checklist
2006 Chachi #55

1992 Topps #237
1998 Topps #234
2002 Topps Heritage #438
2006 Upper Deck #763
2006 Chachi #55
Other Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  1992 Donruss #530
First Topps Base Card:  1992 Topps #237
Last Mainstream Card:  2006 Upper Deck #763
Other Notable Cards:  1991 Classic/Best #94, 1994 Fleer Ultra #457, 1995 Donruss #466, 1998 Topps #234, 1999 Topps #90, 2000 Fleer Tradition #184, 2000 Topps #353, 2001 Topps #631, 2002 Topps Heritage #438, 2003 Topps #502, 2005 Topps Heritage #334

Sources:  Baseball Reference and The Trading Card Database

Phillies Missing Links of the 2000s
1 Kirk Bullinger
2 Chris Pritchett
3 Bryan Ward
4 Mark Holzemer
5 Turner Ward
6 P.J. Forbes
7 Matt Walbeck
8 Kelly Stinnett
9 Valerio de los Santos
10 Josh Hancock
11 Brian Powell
12 Paul Abbott
13 Todd Jones
14 A.J. Hinch
15 Ramon Martinez
16 Matt Kata
17 Aquilino Lopez
18 Adam Bernero
19 Jose Hernandez

This is a continuing series looking at those players who spent time with the Phillies but possess no baseball card proof of their time in Philadelphia.  In some cases, the First and Last Mainstream cards listed above have been subjectively chosen if multiple cards were released in that year.

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