After inheriting Oakland's starting catcher's job from the disappointing A.J. Hinch in 1999, Hernandez committed a league-high 13 errors in 2000. (Adding to his woes, he threw out just 19 of 87 baserunners that season.) But unlike Hinch, a solid defender with a light bat, Hernandez could hit for power. The Venezuelan swatted 14 homers in his first full season with the team, even though his batting average lingered at .241. (JGR)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»October 3, 2000: The A's defeat the Yankees, 5-3, in the 1st game of their AL division series. C Ramon Hernandez hits a double off Roger Clemens in the 6th inning to give Oakland the lead.