Selecting a starting pitcher for Game 7 of the World Series is one of the most complex decisions a team faces in MLB. In a recent interview on the “Abriendo el Podcast” show, former New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada caused a stir by categorically stating that he would choose Orlando “El Duke” Hernández over Roger Clemens for that decisive game, because of the composure the Cuban demonstrated on the mound.

This statement, coming from a catcher with five Silver Bates awards and extensive postseason experience, contradicts traditional statistical projections based on the regular season by emphasizing the ability to handle pressure and performance metrics in high-stakes situations, where many top talents falter, but the Cuban player, on the contrary, stood out even more.

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Jorge Posada is impressed by Orlando “El Duke” Hernández’s attitude

The former catcher cited the Cuban pitcher’s ability to perform under extreme pressure, which he demonstrated during the franchise’s golden age in the Bronx.

“El Duke was the boldest player I've ever seen in my life. If the bases were loaded and we were up by three, and he saw a right-hander coming up followed by a left-hander, he'd say, ‘Let's get the next one out,’ and we'd win the game 3-2. He was the craziest guy I've ever seen,” Posada said.

In addition to praising the Cuban in this very unique way, Posada also recounted an anecdote from a game against the Atlanta Braves, where slugger Ryan Klesko hit two home runs off him, and on his third at-bat, Posada tried to challenge him with the same pitch that had gotten him in trouble in order to dominate him. He also confessed that for a World Series Game 7, he would choose Orlando Hernández, even though the moderators asked him about Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, and Mike Mussina; the Puerto Rican was unequivocal in his response.

“Speaking of stubborn players, El Duque was the most stubborn, but I’ll tell you this: in a Game 7 of the World Series, I’d put that guy in. He’s going to find a way to get you out,” said the interviewee without hesitation, even though they mentioned other players from whom he had faced pitches.

This assessment highlights a reality on the field that traditional mathematical models often overlook: the difference in psychological profile when the margin for error is zero.

Analysis of Analytics Metrics and Postseason Performance

A review of official records on advanced analytics platforms such as Baseball Reference and FanGraphs shows that Orlando Hernández performance improved significantly during the month of October.

Under current MLB standards, Posada’s observations align with concepts of pitch design and sequencing. “El Duke” based his success on constantly varying his release point and his iconic high leg kick to throw off the batter’s timing.

In the era of the pitch clock, the ability to mentally dictate the pace of the game and execute breaking pitches in unfavorable counts holds greater strategic value than raw velocity.

Jorge Posada stance reaffirms that decision-making in Game 7 is driven by qualitative on-field variables. Faced with Roger Clemens’s historic dominance, Orlando Hernández’s composure and consistency in October fully justify his catcher’s confidence in him for the decisive moment.

Who is Orlando “El Duke” Hernández?

Orlando “El Duke” Hernández is an iconic Cuban right-handed pitcher, born in 1965, who became a legend with the New York Yankees. After shining in the National Series with the Industriales and winning Olympic gold in 1992, he made a dramatic escape from Cuba in 1997. His arrival in Major League Baseball made an immediate impact thanks to his charisma and talent.

He stood out in the big leagues for his iconic pitching mechanics, featuring a high leg kick, and his astonishing ability to dominate under pressure. He won four World Series rings (three with the Yankees and one with the Chicago White Sox) and was named ALCS MVP in 1999, establishing himself as one of the most dominant and reliable starting pitchers in postseason history.

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