Kansas City Royals: Thank you for everything Eric Hosmer
After months and months of waiting, the Kansas City Royals will not be retaining Eric Hosmer. He has agreed to an eight-year deal with the San Diego Padres.
First of all, don’t be mad at Eric Hosmer, Royals fans. He deserves the most amount of money possible and to be put into the best situation to win another World Series. While the Padres aren’t there yet, they proved to be a better option for Hosmer than the Royals, and that’s okay.
What Eric Hosmer did for the Kansas City Royals organization is something that can never be forgotten. The guy could do it all and that’s what will make him one of the all-time greats.
It all started back in 2008 when the Royals drafted Hosmer third overall. He spent time in the minors from 2008-2011 and when his major league call-up took place, it was unlike anything Royals fans had seen before. There hadn’t been a bigger prospect during that time and fans were over the moon over Hosmer’s transition to the big leagues.
Just because Hosmer didn’t re-sign here doesn’t mean he doesn’t love the Royals.
His rookie season was promising, as the then-21-year old slashed .293/.334/.465 with 19 home runs and 78 RBI. Fans knew they had someone special on their hands and Hosmer would prove that sentiment.
The 2012 season wasn’t nearly as impressive for Hosmer, but that was to be expected. He played a huge role in getting the Royals back to their winning ways from 2013-2015 and when we all look back to the World Series runs, Eric Hosmer will be in the forefront of everyone’s minds.
When the Royals played in that riveting Wild Card Game back in 2014, Hosmer’s triple was one of the most memorable aspects of that game. After the Royals won it, Hosmer’s reaction toward the fans was everything. The guy was pumped and that was awesome to see!
In the World Series in 2015, Hosmer had arguably the biggest play of the game. He, of course, was the one who stole home in Game 5 to tie things up and the Royals would go on to win it several innings later.
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While the 2016 and 2017 seasons didn’t go according to plan for the Kansas City Royals, Eric Hosmer continued to do his thing and be the leader on and off the field. He made it to his lone All-Star Game in 2016 and won the MVP Award.
In 2017, Hosmer had a career high batting average with .318 and tied his career high in home runs with 25. It was a season in which we knew would be the deciding factor for Hosmer’s future and it’s safe to say we were all shocked that it took this long for Hosmer to sign somewhere.
When looking back at Eric Hosmer’s career, I’ll think back to that triple in the 2014 Wild Card Game and him stealing home in Game 5 of the 2015 World Series. I’ll also remember how he was the face of this franchise and really seemed to love playing for the Royals.
Just because Hosmer didn’t re-sign here doesn’t mean he doesn’t love the Royals. Hosmer had been awaiting this moment since he was 18 years old and the third overall pick in the draft, so it’s hard to fault him for wanting to take an extra year on his new contract.
I adore Eric Hosmer and appreciate everything he did for the Kansas City Royals, but the San Diego Padres wanted him more and they got their guy. The Padres are getting an awesome ball player and a guy who will really leave everything he has on the field each and every day.
I’ll miss watching Hosmer play at the K, but he had to do what was best for him. Good luck in San Diego, Hosmer! If the Royals can’t win a World Series any time soon, I’ll be pulling for the Padres to get to that point so you can get your second ring.
Thank you Eric Hosmer!