Kansas City Royals: All-Star Game MVP Eric Hosmer
By tdierking
With a game tying solo home run in the second inning off starter and former-Royal Johnny Cueto, followed by an RBI single that was scorched off the young stud Jose Fernandez , Eric Hosmer officially put his name on the map (If he hadn’t already).
The 26-year old first basemen for the Kansas City Royals has entered the prime years of his career. Eric Hosmer finally got elected to his first All-Star Game after beating out the six-time All-Star first baseman, Miguel Cabrera.
Coming into the All-Star break, Eric Hosmer slashed .299/.355/.476 with 13 home runs and 49 runs batted in (RBIs). Hosmer is six home runs shy of his career best (19) and 49 runs batted in away from tying his career high (98). He is also on track to win his fourth straight Gold Glove.
This season is looking to be one of the best years for a Royals position player in years. So how could it get any better?
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After Chris Sale, gave up a two-out home run to Kris Bryant, Eric Hosmer said that he thought Bryant was on cloud nine. Hosmer seemed to want to join Bryant on cloud nine. Leading off the second inning, Hosmer took a fastball to the opposite field in his first ever All-Star Game at bat. Hosmer said he couldn’t help but smile as he ran around the bases.
Coming up for the second time in the third inning, Hosmer continued his campaign for MVP as he scorched a RBI single up the third base side, barely missing Kris Brant’s glove.
When the sixth inning started, Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost had replaced every position on the field with a backup, except for first baseman Eric Hosmer. Hosmer was due up for a third time in the sixth inning and it seemed that Yost wanted to see if Hosmer could go 3-3 in the game. Unfortunately, Washington Nationals ace, Max Scherzer, had other plans for Hosmer as he got him to hit an easy grounder to the second baseman.
Hosmer finished his night going 2-3, with a home run and two RBIs. Hosmer joined Bo Jackson and George Brett as the only Royal to have two hits and two RBIs in the same game. Not to bad for a first time All-Star player. Hosmer had more planned for his first time.
Eric Hosmer joined a small club as he become just the second Royal in franchise history to win the coveted All-Star Game MVP. The other Royal to win the award was Bo Jackson, in 1989, where Jackson famously hit his monstrous home run off of San Francisco Giants pitcher Rick Reuschel to lead off the game.
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When you think about the type of players that have come through the Royals organization since 1969, it is crazy to think that Eric Hosmer has achieved something so many haven’t.
Hosmer gave a humbling speech while receiving his award. During the speech, he gave his new truck to his dad.
Kansas City Royals catcher, Salvador Perez (who went 1-2 with a 2-run home run and two RBIs) and relief pitcher Kelvin Herrera (who went 1.0 inning with one strike out) both had great games as well but they were overshadowed by Eric Hosmer’s efforts during the game.
It seems this year that Eric Hosmer has finally arrived. Not just as a leader within the locker room but with the bat as well. He may not always be flashy but his clutch hits are something special to watch.
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After watching Hosmer’s terrific All-Star game performance, I think it is safe to say that the Kansas City Royals can not afford to let Hosmer go. Work out a deal that will keep Hosmer with the Kansas City Royals forever and let’s all enjoy the next six-plus years of watching these two dominate the All-Star Game, Gold Glove voting, regular season, post season together for a while leading the Kansas City Royals to more future successful years in Royals blue.