Dodgers fan favorite Kiké Hernández has built a reputation for clutch October moments and an easygoing personality.
But after choosing to skip the team’s upcoming July 23 White House visit celebrating their 2026 World Series title, the utility veteran found himself at the center of a heated political debate.
SISTERS OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE WERE ‘TOO BUSY’ FOR DODGERS’ PRIDE FESTIVITIES
Officially, the 34-year-old is missing the trip to begin a minor-league injury rehabilitation assignment for a strained left oblique.
Apr 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Kike Hernandez (8) pitches in the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins to first player to wear approved pitcher hybrid helmet/cap in a game at Dodger Stadium. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
“It’s going to be hard to be in two cities at the same time,” Hernández admitted recently. Though he quickly added a more candid takeaway: “If I was active, I probably wouldn’t have gone anyways.”
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That admission didn’t sit well with one disgruntled fan named Larry, who sent a typed letter to the ballpark taking direct aim at the Puerto Rican-born star:
“Mr. Hernandez, after hearing about the horrible experience during your last visit to the White House and your excuse for your absence this year, it seems clear that you are just a disrespectful, spoiled, pampered, entitled little brat. Remember, you work for an organization that promotes a group (The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence) that disparages and denigrates the entire Catholic religion.”
Enrique Hernandez No. 8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 5 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 29, 2025. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Rather than tossing the hate mail in the trash, Hernández posted a photo of the letter, along with Larry’s unredacted return address, to his 1.5 million social media followers.
“SO to Larry for the nice letter!” Hernández captioned the post. “Next time, at least make it handwritten, you nice sir!”
Hernández isn’t the only Dodger opting out of the Washington trip.
While Hernández did attend the team’s White House visit in April 2025 following their 2024 championship, he later indicated he regretted the experience.
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Superstar teammate Mookie Betts is also expected to skip the July 23 event.
Betts previously made headlines when he opted not to visit the White House with the Boston Red Sox in 2019, during Donald Trump’s first term.
Hernández has long been vocal in his opposition to President Trump’s immigration stance.
Tensions surrounding the Dodgers hit a boiling point in 2025 following rumors that immigration officials were present at Dodger Stadium.
Enrique Hernandez of the Los Angeles Dodgers speaks to the crowd at the 2025 Dodgers World Series Celebration at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif., on Nov. 3, 2025. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
While rumors initially claimed ICE was targeting fans, OutKick confirmed at the time that the personnel was actually California Border Control agents conducting routine operations unrelated to local sweeps.
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Championship White House visits were once a universally accepted, non-partisan victory lap for championship teams. Today, they are an ideological battleground.
Whether you agree with Larry or the player, doxxing a fan over a typed critique crosses a line.
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