Keith Hernandez, a cornerstone of the New York Mets’ broadcast team, is once again navigating free agency.
The longtime SNY analyst and former Mets first baseman confirmed that his contract with the network has expired following his 20th season in the booth. Hernandez told The New York Post’s Mike Puma he wants to continue alongside play-by-play voice Gary Cohen and fellow analyst Ron Darling.
“My contract has run out, but I would love to continue in the booth,” Hernandez said in a Q&A published Friday. “I enjoy what I do.”
The trio—affectionately known as “Gary, Keith and Ron”—has become synonymous with Mets baseball. Their 20-year run is the longest stretch of any announcing crew in franchise histor. They are often cited among the best television broadcast teams in Major League Baseball.
Hernandez, 71, signed his most recent three-year deal before the 2023 season. While his future at the network remains uncertain, his contributions have been significant.
He has earned three New York Emmy Awards for “Sports Analyst” (2009, 2012, 2015) during his tenure. He played an integral role in helping SNY establish itself as the Mets’ flagship broadcaster when it launched in 2006. Prior to that, he worked Mets games on MSG.
Known for his sharp analysis, dry humor, and unique focus on “fundies”—his shorthand for baseball fundamentals—Hernandez has carved out a second career that complements his decorated playing days. The 1979 National League MVP, two-time World Series champion, and 11-time Gold Glove winner was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame in 1997. The team retired his No. 17 jersey in 2022.
On the field, Hernandez was a central figure in the Mets’ last championship run in 1986. He spent seven seasons with New York after a trade from the St. Louis Cardinals, where he debuted in 1974 and became one of the National League’s premier hitters and defenders. His 17-year career concluded with a brief stint in Cleveland in 1990.
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