Luis Hernandez is a Venezuelan former professional baseball shortstop. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, New York Mets, and Texas Rangers.
On September 16, 2000, the Atlanta Braves signed Hernández as a non-drafted free agent. Before joining the Baltimore Orioles, he spent five seasons in the Atlanta Braves minor league system, but only appeared in 19 games with the Braves AAA affiliate, the Richmond Braves.
On October 12, 2006, the Baltimore Orioles claimed Hernández off waivers. On July 8, 2007, he made his major league debut for the Orioles against the Texas Rangers as a late-inning defensive replacement.
On July 12, 2007, against the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Hernández had his first major league hit, a double.
When White Sox relief pitcher Dewon Day threw the first pitch to Hernández in the bottom of the ninth inning, Hernández promptly crushed a line drive to center field for the game-winning run.
Jay Gibbons scored as a result of the play, giving him his first major league RBI. On September 27, 2007, against the Toronto Blue Jays, he hit his first major league home run.
Why Did Jose Luis Hernandez Change His Name?
The teenage pitcher chose to alter his last name to honor his mother Alma a few months after every team had passed.
When he was a child, he lived in Mazatlán, Mexico, where he was reared by his mother, Alma, who supported his baseball career and delayed his professional signing until he was 19.