MLB Announcer Keith Hernandez Mourns Death of His 22-Year-Old Cat, Hadji: 'RIP My Little Guy'

Mar. 15, 2025

Keith Hernandez and Hadji.Photo:Keith Hernandez/Instagram

Keith Hernandez/Instagram

Sports fans are mourning the loss of a furry friend.Hadji, the pet cat of New York Mets broadcaster Keith Hernandez, has died.“It’s with a heavy heart that I must tell you that I had to put Hadji down last week," Hernandez, 71, announced in a post onX, formerly known as Twitter. “It was his time to go. I loved him so much and miss him dearly. He was a great companion for 22 yrs. RIP my little guy.”Keith Hernandez and Hadji.Keith Hernandez/X"It was his time to go,” he added in a reply. “No quality of life. He passed painlessly and with dignity. Tough one. I don’t think I’ll ever get over it.“On Oct. 10, Hernandez, a retired two-time World Series champion and former first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals and Mets, posted a birthday post for Hadji on hisInstagram. “HAPPY 22nd HADJI!!!” he captioned the picture of him holding the cat as the sun beamed down on him.The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!Hadji’s birthday celebration included several new toys, cat treats and candles, which was nothing new for the Bengal. According to a 2021GQprofileon Hadji, some of his favorite things were a cat stroller, several cat trees, cat toys and an impressive backyard fort.The 22-year-old cat had become an unofficial mascot for the Mets, even being featured on fan signs and T-shirts.Keith Hernandez/InstagramNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“Rest in peace, Hadji 🧡💙,” the official New York Mets account shared onX.“You gave him a charmed and wonderful life!” another X user wrote. “I already knew you were a great athlete; the way you treated him showed me that you are truly a great man.““I’m so sorry Keith. I loved the Hadji stories. Hopefully, Hadji crossed the rainbow bridge and is playing happily until you meet again,” another replied.

Sports fans are mourning the loss of a furry friend.

Hadji, the pet cat of New York Mets broadcaster Keith Hernandez, has died.

“It’s with a heavy heart that I must tell you that I had to put Hadji down last week,” Hernandez, 71, announced in a post onX, formerly known as Twitter. “It was his time to go. I loved him so much and miss him dearly. He was a great companion for 22 yrs. RIP my little guy.”

Keith Hernandez and Hadji.Keith Hernandez/X

Keith Hernandez/X

“It was his time to go,” he added in a reply. “No quality of life. He passed painlessly and with dignity. Tough one. I don’t think I’ll ever get over it.”

On Oct. 10, Hernandez, a retired two-time World Series champion and former first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals and Mets, posted a birthday post for Hadji on hisInstagram. “HAPPY 22nd HADJI!!!” he captioned the picture of him holding the cat as the sun beamed down on him.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Hadji’s birthday celebration included several new toys, cat treats and candles, which was nothing new for the Bengal. According to a 2021GQprofileon Hadji, some of his favorite things were a cat stroller, several cat trees, cat toys and an impressive backyard fort.

The 22-year-old cat had become an unofficial mascot for the Mets, even being featured on fan signs and T-shirts.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“Rest in peace, Hadji 🧡💙,” the official New York Mets account shared onX.

“You gave him a charmed and wonderful life!” another X user wrote. “I already knew you were a great athlete; the way you treated him showed me that you are truly a great man.”

“I’m so sorry Keith. I loved the Hadji stories. Hopefully, Hadji crossed the rainbow bridge and is playing happily until you meet again,” another replied.

source: people.com