Orlando Hernandez — aka “El Duque” — used a trademark high leg kick during his nine-year Major League Baseball career. It’s fitting, as Hernandez recently kicked up a major fuss.
Hernandez, who last pitched in the majors in 2007, was ejected from a Little League game last month after throwing a temper tantrum. The incident occurred at the USSSA Wood Bat World Series in South Florida, where El Duque was coaching his son’s 12-and-under team, according to TMZ.
Hernandez reportedly confronted the home plate umpire after his team fell behind 11-3. The ump decided to eject Hernandez because the former big league hurler wouldn’t leave the field, and the ejection led to an even bigger freakout.
Hernandez spent most of his career with the New York Yankees but also played for the Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Mets. He went 90-65 with a 4.13 ERA in 219 career appearances (211 starts), and his best seasons were his first two. El Duque went 12-4 with a 3.13 ERA and 17-9 with 4.12 ERA in 1998 and 1999, respectively.
It’s good to see that Hernandez — who apparently now is 48 years old, though his age always has been debated — is keeping busy during retirement. He might want to cool his jets just a little bit, though.
Check out Hernandez’s meltdown below.
