Early Life and Education of Keith Hernandez: A Complete Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 20, 2026

An overview of the childhood and early education of Keith Hernandez, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Keith Hernandez is a former MLB first baseman who played 17 seasons. A five-time All-Star, he shared the 1979 NL MVP award and secured World Series titles with both the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets. Since 1998, he has transitioned into broadcasting, serving as a color commentator for Mets television broadcasts.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1922: Birth of John Hernandez

In 1922, John Hernandez, Keith Hernandez's father, was born. He was a minor league first baseman affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees in the 1940s.

October 20, 1953: Keith Hernandez Born

On October 20, 1953, Keith Hernandez was born. He would become a professional baseball first baseman, playing 17 seasons in MLB.

1971: High School Graduation

In 1971, Keith Hernandez graduated from Capuchino High School in San Bruno, California, after attending Terra Nova High School in Pacifica during his freshman year. He was a star athlete in high school.

1976: Uniform Number Change

In 1976, Keith Hernandez switched his uniform number to 37 to honor Mickey Mantle.

1979: Marriage to Sue Broecker

In 1979, Hernandez married Sue Broecker.

1980: Covers Life Through Early in the 1980 Season

I'm Keith Hernandez covers his life through early in the 1980 season.

1983: Divorce from Sue Broecker

In 1983, Hernandez divorced Sue Broecker.

1985: Batting Slump Advice from Father

In 1985, Keith Hernandez credited his father for helping him out of a batting slump by observing his at-bats on TV and giving him advice.

1987: Account of Life Inside The Mets

In 1987, William Goldman and Mike Lupica wrote "Wait Till Next Year", which looked at life inside the Mets over the whole 1987 season.

1988: Featured in "Wait Till Next Year"

In 1988, Keith Hernandez was heavily featured in the book "Wait Till Next Year", portrayed as the most vocal of the Mets in dealing with the press.

1989: Death of his mother

In 1989, Hernandez's mother, Jacqueline Hernandez, died after suffering from Alzheimer's for nine years.

1992: Death of John Hernandez

In 1992, John Hernandez, Keith Hernandez's father, passed away. He had been a minor league first baseman.

2005: Marriage to Kai Thompson

In 2005, Hernandez married Kai Thompson.

February 2011: Divorce from Kai Thompson

In February 2011, Hernandez divorced Kai Thompson.

June 17, 2012: Mets' 50th anniversary celebration

On June 17, 2012, during the 50th-anniversary celebration of the Mets, Hernandez was selected as the Mets' all-time first baseman and spoke about how his trade to New York reenergized him.

September 27, 2012: Mustache Shaved for Charity

On September 27, 2012, Keith Hernandez had his mustache shaved off for charity.

June 2019: Support for President Trump

In June 2019, Hernandez said on a Fox Business appearance that he supports President Donald Trump because he had "helped everybody" in regards to the economy.

November 19, 2021: Tweet about anti-vaccine book

On November 19, 2021, Hernandez tweeted a photograph of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s anti-vaccine book "The Real Anthony Fauci: Bill Gates, Big Pharma, and the Global War on Democracy and Public Health", prompting criticism and deletion of the tweet.