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Chat Reel: Keith Hernandez

D'Backs need wins from Schilling and Johnson

Keith Hernandez idolized Mickey Mantle and Juan Marichal growing up. Don Smith/Allsport

CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's MLB chat with Keith Hernandez. Welcome and thank you for joining us!
Keith Hernandez: Thank you. It's very good to be here.

From Jonathan: Keith, What do the D'Backs have to do in order to win the World Series?
Keith Hernandez: They can't have Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling lose a game.

From Adam Rubinson in Washington, D.C.: Other than yourself, who are the greatest fielding first basemen of all time? And the best all-around first-basemen?
Keith Hernandez: Well I can only speak about people I watched play or played against, so I would say Bill White, Russ Parker and Don Mattingly.

From Josh in Los Angeles, Calif.: Who, in your opinion, is the best fielding first baseman in the game today?
Keith Hernandez: I don't see the American League very much so I'd have to go with J.T. Snow.

From Matthew Herman in New York, N.Y.: You know the ins and outs of baseball better than anyone else does. One question: why have you not become a manager at the major league level?
Keith Hernandez: I don't want to. It's too demanding of a lifestyle.

From Robert Friedlander in Bronx, N.Y.: Do you think that because of the excellent starting pitching on both teams, there is more potential for many of these games to go into extra innings? If so, does the fact that the Yankees have only three reliable relief pitchers even things out somewhat between the two teams?
Keith Hernandez: I don't think so. They have good pitching and there's a possibility, but the Yankees have better starting pitchers than Arizona. Arizona just has two... the Yanks have four.

From Johnny Huerta in Plano, Texas: Keith, you made an appearance on Seinfeld. Did you make the error they claim on this episode to cost the Mets the Series? Sounds pretty silly, but I insist with some friends that it was not true and they tell me it is...can you give me a quick yes or no?
Keith Hernandez: I didn't cost the Series... I cost a game in the regular season.

From Jason Schoellen in Norcross, Ga.: Mark Grace idolized you growing up. Who was your idol, if any, when you were younger?
Keith Hernandez: Micky Mantle. We share the same birthday... October 30th. And, Juan Marichal. They are two of my favorites.

From Greg in Natick, Mass.: Keith, which was the better supporting cast: Heep, Teufel, and HoJo, or Costanza, Benes, and Kramer?
Keith Hernandez: Costanza and Elaine.

From Dave Schulz in Canton, Mich.: Can we look forward to seeing you on the Bob Patterson show? I think you did very well on Seinfeld.
Keith Hernandez: Probably not. Acting is really not what I'm interested in. Those past things kind of came my way and I just did them. I'm not an aspiring actor and you should be able to tell.

From Antonio in Flushing, N.Y.: Keith, What do you think the Mets will do this off-season? They need another power hitter to protect Mike.
Keith Hernandez: They need a left-hand hitter or outfielder . Not so much a power guy, more an RBI guy. They need one more starting pitcher. The list goes on.

From John Kizer in Springfield Mo.: What books have you authored or co-authored? Who were the top five Cardinal pitchers you played with excluding, Gibson if you played with him.
Keith Hernandez: I've written If At First that was with Mike Bryan. The other was Pure Baseball with the same co-author. Some Cardinals pitchers... Jaquin Andujar, Bruce Sutter and Forsch come to mind.

From TonyF: What do the Cardinals need to make it back to the World Series?
Keith Hernandez: I think they've got a pretty solid club. You can always improve your bench and relief pitching. Otherwise, they're strong.

From Erik: If you did get elected to the Hall of Fame, would you go in with a Cards cap or Mets cap?
Keith Hernandez: I'm not sure. That's a very good question. I've had a good time with both organizations.

CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Keith Hernandez. Thanks so much and good luck in raising money for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund.
Keith Hernandez: Thank you very much for having me.

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