Keith Hernandez Answers Every Question We Have About Seinfeld

[TMC]

https://www.vulture.com/article/keit...interview.html

By Devon Ivie, a staff writer covering classic rock and TV

“Seinfeld gave me an extra life. When I retired, I thought I would be forgotten.”

Seinfeld had a prolific streak of guest actors over its nine seasons, whether it was an overly interrogative bookman or Monica before Friends. But perhaps the most memorable swing was taken from the sitcom’s creative home plate in its third season: Former MLB star Keith Hernandez played, well, former MLB star Keith Hernandez, who entangles himself with just about every character after a chance meeting with Jerry and George in a sports club locker room. The mustachioed Mets legend gets a triple play of paths in “The Boyfriend.” He and Jerry hit it off and become friends, only for the relationship to sour when Hernandez asks for his help to move apartments. (“That’s a big step in a male relationship,” Jerry observes. “It’s like going all the way.”) He attempts to seduce Elaine, only for that to fizzle out when he reveals himself as a smoker. Oh yeah, and Kramer and Newman are still fuming from an alleged spitting incident at Shea Stadium, which is recounted in Zapruder-esque detail with a culpable Roger McDowell.

As Hernandez tells it, Larry David considers “The Boyfriend” a major turning point for a surge in Seinfeld popularity after it aired in February 1992, and Seinfeld, who was starstruck to meet his baseball hero, has said he considers it among his favorite episodes. Hernandez, who has been a Mets commentator on SNY for 18 seasons, even sees the favorable parallel apply to himself. “Seinfeld gave me an extra life,” he explains. “When I retired, I thought I would be forgotten.”

[kartguy]

"Well, uh, I'd watch the third base coach if I were you 'cause I don't think he's
waving you in".