The Runner Left Standed On Second Base Ending the 2006 NLCS: Anderson Hernandez (2005-2007)

Anderson Mejia Hernandez was born on October 30th 1982 in Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic. The five foot nine infielder, is a switch hitter who was signed by the Detroit Tigers in 2001 as a free agent.

Hernandez began his minor league career in 2001 as a speedy base runner, but did not get to the AA level until 2004. In January of 2005 he was traded to the New York Mets organization for Vance Wilson. This was mainly due to the fact he had no patience at the plate & struck out quite often. In 2005, his first full year in the Mets organization he hit .326 & stole 35 bases at AA Binghamton, getting promoted to AAA Norfolk where he hit .303 in 66 games.

Hernandez got a September call up , making his debut on September 19th in a 4-1 win over the Atlanta Braves. He saw action in six games that month getting one hit in 18 at bats. He made the 2006 club out of Spring Training, and was penciled in as the second baseman replacing the injured Kaz Matsui. But Hernandez was hitting just .146 through April 17th & was sent back down to the minors.

Soon Jose Valentin locked up the second base position & Hernandez remained at AAA Norfolk, until September. On September 19th he hit his first career HR, it came off Scott Olsen of the Marlins in a 3-2 Mets win at Shea Stadium.

Post Season Trivia: Hernandez replaced Paul Loduca on second base in Game #7 of the NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals. He represented the winning run, but Carlos Beltran struck out looking to end the game & the series.

In 2007 he impressed the organization again batting .301 at AAA New Orleans, although he stole just 16 bases. That summer he saw brief action filling in a roster spot, playing just four games for the Mets all season.

In 2008 his average plummeted to just .208 & that summer he was sent off to the Washington Nationals to complete an earlier deal of pitcher Luis Ayala. In Washington he played in 77 games & hit .251 for the remainder of the season.

In 2009 he was traded back to the Mets for minor leaguer Greg Veloz & he appeared in 46 games the rest of the way. He hit .251 with 2 HRs 6 doubles 2 triples & 14 RBIs while stealing a pair of bases. In March of 2010 he was placed on waivers & was picked up by the Cleveland Indians. He then finished the year with the Houston Astros after being picked up on waivers once again.

He finished out his MLB career in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization in 2012. In a six year career he is a .241 hitter with 4 HRs 25 doubles 5 triples 60 RBIs 10 stolen bases & a .300 on base % in 240 games.

Hernandez recently played in the Dominican Republic where he was having a much better career. He & shortstop Erick Aybar became known as "the kids" as one of the leagues best middle infielder combos.