'Seinfeld' star reveals amount he still gets paid from show despite only appearing in 2 episodes

Even years after his appearance on Seinfeld, Keith Hernandez continues to receive residual checks for his time on the iconic sitcom. The legendary Mets broadcaster and former first baseman made a memorable guest appearance in the two-part episode 'The Boyfriend,' which aired in February 1992.

During this run, Hernandez played a fictionalized version of himself, creating a quirky love triangle between himself, Jerry Seinfeld, and Elaine Benes. The episodes also featured a subplot about a supposed incident involving Hernandez and a "loogie."

Hernandez shared with SI Media's Jimmy Traina that he still sees significant earnings from his involvement in the show. "It varies, but I can tell you that on an annual basis, I’m getting close to $5,000 still. It’s the gift that keeps giving," Hernandez said, laughing.

He added, "Remember one thing: I was the guest star." While the episodes became a hit with audiences, it’s clear that Hernandez's time on Seinfeld has remained a financial boon for him.

Keith Hernandez's role on Seinfeld

Hernandez's role as himself was memorable for its humorous premise, where Jerry and Elaine competed for his attention. Alongside this, the subplot involved Cosmo Kramer and Newman, who claimed Hernandez had spat a "magic loogie" during a game.

While Hernandez played along with the fictional narrative, it was later revealed that it was actually ex-Mets pitcher Roger McDowell who had been responsible for the infamous loogie.

Despite only having dialogue in the two-episode arc, Hernandez made a brief, non-speaking cameo during the Seinfeld series finale in 1998. His appearances on the show left a lasting impression, and the episodes, 'The Boyfriend,' earned writers Larry David and Larry Levin a nomination for Best Episodic Comedy at the Writers Guild of America Awards.

Hernandez's career post-Seinfeld

Keith Hernandez’s connection to Seinfeld didn't overshadow his broadcasting career with the New York Mets. In 1998, Hernandez began working as a Mets broadcaster, and he has become a key part of the team's game coverage. Alongside Gary Cohen and Ron Darling, Hernandez has been calling Mets games for years.

In March 2026, he signed a three-year contract extension with SNY, securing his role through the 2029 season. Even as his broadcasting career continues to thrive, Hernandez's contributions to pop culture from his Seinfeld appearance are still paying off.

Featured image credit: NBC