"I am saddened and infuriated" - Dodgers' Kike Hernandez shows public support to fellow immigrants amid anti-ICE protests in LA

Los Angeles Dodgers' Kike Hernandez is one of the team's most popular players. The Puerto Rican slugger's fame even resulted in his extended cameo appearance as himself in the popular ABC television series "The Rookie".

Hernandez holds his Puerto Rican roots close to his heart and is disturbed by the recent anti-ICE protests in California, the state his team calls home. The anti-ICE demonstrations are in response to the Donald Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration. The protest began in Los Angeles, but has intensified nationwide.

In an Instagram post on Saturday, Hernandez showed support for the immigrants in the US.

"I may not be Born & Raised, but this city adopted me as one of their own. I am saddened and infuriated by what’s happening in our country and our city," Kike Hernandez captioned the post.

The 33-year-old shared that Los Angeles fans have welcomed and supported him, making California his second home.

"And I cannot stand to see our community being violated, profiled, abused and ripped apart. ALL people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and human rights," Hernandez added.

Hernandez is currently in his second stint with the team. He played for LA from 2015 to 2020 before moving to the Boston Red Sox for the next two and a half years. As a member of the Dodgers, he won two World Series.

Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts on ICE protest

The Dodgers are currently 1-1 in their series against the Giants, with the decider set to be played on Monday. The game will be the Dodgers' first one at home since the start of the ongoing protest against ICE in Los Angeles. Security has been tight for the players, who have been instructed not to go to the streets.

Preluding the first match on Friday, the team skipper was asked about the protest. The 53-year-old offered a diplomatic response, which didn't sit well with a section of the fans.

"I don't, I just, I don't know honestly," Roberts said [From 4:50]. "I don't know enough, to be quite honest with you. I know that you're having to bring people in and, you know, deport people, and just kind of all the unrest is certainly unsettling for everyone. But, I haven't dug enough and can't speak intelligently on it."

Amid the ICE protest garnering attention, Dodgers icon Clayton Kershaw created controversy by adding "Gen 9:12-16" on the special cap for Pride Night. Gen 9:12-16 is a verse from the Bible, which many conservatives use to discredit the LGBTQI+ community.

About the author

Safeer M S is a baseball journalist at Sportskeeda, having delved into the sport professionally since 2024. His journey into baseball was sparked by Shohei Ohtani’s remarkable MLB performances, which ignited his passion for the game. Safeer’s enthusiasm for fantasy baseball further fueled his engagement with the sport.

Safeer supports baseball stars like Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, and Aaron Judge, with Shohei Ohtani's dual-threat dominance being his most memorable baseball moment. He admires Willie Mays for his athleticism and historic achievements in pinch-hitting and stealing bases.

In addition to his baseball expertise, Safeer is deeply passionate about combat sports, which he has been reporting on since 2022. His journey into combat sports began with Karate lessons in school, followed by boxing training. Films like Rocky 4, Never Back Down, and Warrior inspired his love for MMA, and witnessing Demetrious Johnson's victory over Kyoji Horiguchi solidified his commitment to the sport.

When not immersed in sports, Safeer enjoys playing football, working out, and watching anime or thriller movies.

Know More

Edited by Nadim El Kak