#RemeberThatCub : Jose Hernandez

A look at former Cub Jose Hernandez

Today we look to a name that may be sometimes forgotten, but is more significant to the Cubs history than some may think.

Jose Hernandez was a utility player who played both third base and outfield during his career. In his 15-year career, he spent seven of them with the Cubs over two different stints. He was a Cub from 1994–1999 and again briefly in 2003. Both times he left the Cubs due to a trade.

In 1999 he was traded to Atlanta with Terry Mulholland for Micah Bowie, Ruben Quevedo and Joey Nation. If you don’t remember any of those who came back in the trade…do not worry because most people probably don’t. His first stint with the Cubs, Hernandez hit 69 homers, including a 23-homer season in 1998. Hernandez’s power was pretty underrated in the 90s…considering the man hitting more homers than he was Sammy Sosa.

In June of 2003, Hernandez made his way back to the Cubs after being traded from the Colorado Rockies for Mark Bellhorn. He played in 23 games with the Cubs over the next month, hitting only .188 with two home runs and nine RBIs. He would be traded again except this time, this trade was extremely significant.

On July 23rd, 2003, Hernandez was the centerpiece along with Bobby Hill (a player to be named later) and Matt Bruback in a package that was sent to the Pirates for Aramis Ramirez, Kenny Lofton and cash. This trade was the final piece to the puzzle that helped get the Cubs the 2003 NL Central title, and gave them their all star slugging 3rd baseman for the next eight years.

Hernandez’s legacy of the Cubs is a funny one. He hit 71 homers, .253 average, 243 RBIs with a 747 OPS in his tenure on the northside. While he was decently productive over the years, to me he will always be remembered as the guy who brought us Ramirez and Lofton.

#RememberThatCub?

Alex Patt is an unapologetic Cubs tweeter and he doesn’t plan on changing anytime soon. You can follow him here.