Be Like Keith

Be like Keith.  It’s a simple request, but one we all desperately need.

The New York Mets just announced they will be retiring number 17 this summer, the number worn by first baseman Keith Hernandez.  It’s a huge honor to have your number retired.  Only three other Mets players have been accorded that tribute and it’s quite a lofty group, Tom Seaver, Mike Piazza and Jerry Koosman.

What can Keith’s magnificent career and character teach us about what we’re desperately missing today in our city, in our nation and in the world.

Simply put, Mex, as he was known (don’t know if that would be “kosher” today) was a leader, a winner, an amazing performer in the clutch and Mayor Adams, HE had swagger.

Wally Backman was one of Keith’s teammates on that crazy 1986 championship team.  Backman looked up to Hernandez as a leader.  Backman says Hernandez “always had something to say and we listened…he just ran the game for us.”

Former Met Daryl Strawberry says Hernandez “pushed…guys to excel”.  He wasn’t satisfied with mediocrity.

Oh and did he have swagger.  That whole team did.  But Keith transcended baseball.  Remember the Seinfeld episode when he dated Elaine?  Or the Magic Loogie episode?

Don’t we wish our governmental leaders were leaders like Keith Hernandez?  Do they elevate those around them to excel?  When they speak do we listen? Do they even deserve our attention?

One of the things that made Keith an all-star was his uncanny ability to anticipate what the batter would do or what the pitcher would be throw.  He would be two steps ahead of them.  Hernandez was always on his toes.  He was proactive, not reactive.

Keith had an uncanny “feel” for the game, always thinking ahead, anticipating, preparing.  Can we say that of the politicians we’ve elected?  Are they really in touch with their constituents? Do they just lurch us from crisis to crisis or do they position us to be successful, prosperous, healthy?

Those Mets teams believed in Keith, full stop.  Can you name one, just one elected official you would want to be your unequivocal leader, full stop?  The one you would want up at bat in the bottom of the ninth with two outs? 

Strawberry says after being in the same dugout as Keith Hernandez he “started to understand what it took to play like he did.”

We need more Keiths. Hell, we need ANY Keiths. 

Hernandez spent barely seven seasons at Shea, but his legacy, for all of us, is timeless.