Home Keith Hernandez Keith Hernandez receives nearly $5,000 in annual residuals from 'Seinfeld' appearances

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25-03-2026

Keith Hernandez receives nearly $5,000 in annual residuals from 'Seinfeld' appearances

Keith Hernandez, a former New York Mets first baseman who played for the club from 1983 to 1989 and helped win the 1986 World Series, has been a television broadcaster for Mets games since 1986.[1][2] He currently works alongside Gary Cohen and Ron Darling on SportsNet New York (SNY), and has won multiple New York Emmy Awards for his broadcasting work.[3]

Hernandez appeared as himself in four episodes of the sitcom "Seinfeld," including the season three two-part episode "The Boyfriend" aired in 1992, where his character becomes romantically linked with Elaine Benes amid a fictional grudge held by Kramer and Newman over a spitting incident.[4] The episode references a real June 14, 1987, game at Shea Stadium between the Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers.[5] Hernandez's line, "I'm Keith Hernandez," from the episode has become iconic.[4]

Hernandez discussed his ongoing residuals from the show on the "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" podcast, stating, "It varies, but I can tell you that on an annual basis I’m getting close to $5,000 still. It’s the gift that keeps giving."[6] He noted he was a guest star on the series.

The Mets retired Hernandez's No. 17 jersey on July 9, 2022, at Citi Field in Queens, New York.[1][7]

Other Major League Baseball players appeared on "Seinfeld," including former New York Yankees outfielder Paul O'Neill in the season seven episode "The Wink."[4] O'Neill said in 2024 during a Yankees broadcast that his residuals from the show amount to about $57 annually.[8] Yankees players Danny Tartabull and Bernie Williams also made cameo appearances.[4]