Anyways....
As a follow up to my Livan Hernandez posting, my next CotW is his half-brother, Orlando Hernandez, aka "El Duque". This is the matching card from the 2014 Topps Five Star base autograph set featuring Mr. Hernandez in his signature high leg kick windup.
"El Duque" was not only known for his windup but for his use of the eephus pitch. His style and form was perfected in Cuba, where he played for Industriales of Havana, in the Cuban National Series where he helped them to win titles in 1992 and 1996. His 10 year career ERA in Cuba was an amazing 3.05 and his winning percentage is .728, the league record.
Orlando Hernandez found U.S. fame, after a long ordeal of defection from Cuba(see the documentary I referenced in my previous post), with the New York Yankees. While wearing the navy blue pinstripes, he helped them win 3 World Series titles and was named ALCS MVP in 1999. In 2003, he was traded to the Expos but did not play due to injury and surgery thereafter. In 2004, he signed a 1 year contract to go back to New York and even though still recovering from his surgery, recorded a 3.30 ERA in 15 starts. In 2005, he would be traded to the White Sox and had memorable appearances leading to Chicago sweeping the Astros for the World Series win.
El Duque would end up playing for 2 more major league teams and 2 minor league teams resulting in his retirement from the game in 2011.
