How a Baseball Legend Thrived on Late Nights, Hangovers, and Soap Operas
A Balancing Act of Baseball and Nightlife
What’s it like to juggle two World Series titles, a legendary baseball career, and a lifestyle that included late-night escapades and a soap opera obsession? Keith Hernandez makes it sound like a balancing act only a true icon could pull off. The former St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets first baseman sat down with Tucker Carlson to discuss his colorful career—and it’s the kind of story you have to hear to believe.
Playing Through Hangovers? Just Another Day in the Big Leagues
If you've ever wondered about the demands of playing professional baseball, you probably wouldn’t expect Hernandez to mention playing through hangovers as part of his strategy. Yet, for him, the occasional late-night indulgence wasn’t extraordinary—it was part of the fabric of his career.
“How do people play at that high of a level with a hangover?” Carlson asked. Hernandez’s answer? You simply can’t make it a habit. But when it happened—especially in cities like Chicago, where bars stayed packed at all hours—he sometimes had no choice but to tough it out. He recalls pulling all-nighters and heading straight to a game at Wrigley Field, praying for no ground balls. “Lord, please, no tough plays,” he said. Twice—or maybe three times—he found himself in that exact situation but managed to push through, never missing a game due to a hangover.
The Relentless Commitment to Teamwork
“You can’t let your teammates down,” Hernandez explained. “It’s a team game. You bear down more when you’re tired or feel off. You’ve got to make sure holding a runner on or taking that extra step doesn’t cost your team.”
Amazingly, in moments of fatigue, Hernandez says he sometimes even played better because his focus was sharper under pressure. Where most players would struggle, he delivered—a true testament to his grit and determination.
Coffee, Pastries, and… Soap Operas?
So, what kept him moving? Coffee, pastries, and… soap operas. Yes, you read that right. After long nights, Hernandez would sleep until noon, call room service for coffee and a Danish, and tune into All My Children. The Mets legend admitted to watching the daytime drama “religiously” while on the road, turning his hotel room into a low-key haven of caffeine, sugary carbs, and fictional romance.
“Wait, you traveled playing baseball and spent your mornings watching soap operas?” Carlson asked in disbelief. Hernandez didn’t mince words. “Just that show,” he confirmed through laughter, underscoring the quirks of his routine that somehow fit seamlessly into his life as a celebrated athlete.
A Legacy Built on Talent and Personality
Hernandez’s unique anecdotes reveal more than just his habits—they paint the picture of a man who balanced superstardom with a deeply human side. He wasn’t a robotic player mechanically going through the motions, but someone who infused personality into every aspect of his career. Cigarettes in the dugout, iconic plays on the field, escapist daytime TV in the off-hours—each piece is woven into the legacy of one of baseball’s greats.
For fans, old and new, Hernandez’s story serves as a reminder: talent, determination, and individuality go hand in hand. Whether it was digging deep after a long night out or connecting with millions as he fielded ground balls, Keith Hernandez did it his way, leaving an enduring legacy on and off the diamond.