What is Liván Hernández’s Net Worth, Salary, and Career Earnings?
Liván Hernández, a former Cuban professional baseball pitcher, has an estimated net worth of $0 million. Despite earning over $53 million in salary during his career, Hernández faced severe financial difficulties, leading him to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in July 2017.
At the time of his filing, he owed between $500,000 and $1 million to various creditors, including credit card companies, banks, and the IRS. Additionally, he owed approximately $220,000 to a local businessman. Hernández reported having assets worth less than $50,000.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on February 14, 1975, in Villa Clara, Cuba, Liván Hernández is the half-brother of former MLB pitcher Orlando “El Duque” Hernández. Defecting to the United States in 1995 at the age of 20, Hernández made a significant impact in baseball.
The previous year, he had contributed to Cuba’s gold medal win at the 1994 Baseball World Cup. Hernández made his MLB debut in 1996 with the Florida Marlins.
Major League Baseball Career
Hernández’s MLB career began with the Florida Marlins, where his performance during the 1997 postseason elevated his status. He played a crucial role in the Marlins’ World Series victory and was named both the NLCS and World Series MVP. Known for his exceptional performance, including a 15-strikeout game in the NLCS, Hernández established himself as a dominant pitcher.
Following his stint with the Marlins, Hernández joined the San Francisco Giants in 1999. His most notable periods were with the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals, where he had two separate tenures (2003-2006, 2009-2011).
During these periods, Hernández led the league in innings pitched in 2003 and 2004. His career was marked by remarkable durability, completing 50 games and pitching over 200 innings nine times.
Hernández also played for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Minnesota Twins, Colorado Rockies, New York Mets, and finished his career with the Atlanta Braves in 2012. His career statistics include a 178-177 win-loss record, a 4.44 earned run average, and 1,976 strikeouts. He was a two-time MLB All-Star (2004, 2005) and won the Silver Slugger Award in 2004.
Career Earnings
Throughout his baseball career, Hernández earned more than $53 million. His highest salary came in 2005 with the Washington Nationals, where he earned $8 million. Despite his substantial earnings and contributions on the field, Hernández’s post-playing years were marred by financial difficulties.
Personal Issues and Bankruptcy
In 2012, reports surfaced about Hernández’s financial troubles, which culminated in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing in 2017. The bankruptcy revealed significant liabilities, with assets reported as being less than $50,000.
The financial issues were attributed to poor investment decisions, a high-cost lifestyle, and substantial child support payments.
