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  • February 22, 2024

Royals’ legend Eric Hosmer retires from MLB

Royals’ legend Eric Hosmer retires from MLB
Michael D'Arcy October 18, 2021

Kansas City Royals legend Eric Hosmer announced his retirement from Major League Baseball Wednesday afternoon. 

Hosmer, now 34, was a key piece of a Royals team that won back-to-back American League pennants, and a World Series championship. 

The Royals drafted Hosmer with the third overall pick in the 2008 MLB Draft. He debuted in 2011 and played 7 seasons in Kansas City, winning an All-Star game MVP in 2016, four gold gloves, a Silver Slugger award and a World Series title. 

All of Kansas City rallied around and embraced the Royals during their postseason runs in 2014-15. Which, is why Eric Hosmer remains so beloved by fans in KC nearly a decade after winning a World Series. 

 

Memorable Postseason Moments 

 

2014 AL Wildcard Triple in Extra Innings

 

In the bottom of the 12th inning, with the Royals trailing the Oakland Athletics 8-7, Eric Hosmer hit a triple into left-center field. Hosmer’s hit ignited a Royals comeback, later scoring on a Christian Colon hit. The Royals would go on to win the 2014 Wild Card game 9-8 in the bottom of the 12th. 

 

Go-Ahead RBI in the 2015 ALCS

 

In game six of the 2015 ALCS, Hosmer hit an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning, which gave the Royals a 4-3 lead. Lorenzo Cain scored from first base on one of the most electrifying plays in Royals history. The Royals would go on to win the AL Pennant 4-3. 

 

2015 World Series Dash to Home 

 

Eric Hosmer’s signature moment came in game five of the 2015 World Series. In the top of the ninth inning with one out, Hosmer dashed home to tie the game, scoring from third base on a ground ball to third. Hosmer’s clutch baserunning sparked the Royals’ comeback to win the 2015 World Series. 

 

It’s impossible to tell the history of the Kansas City Royals without Eric Hosmer. A kid drafted out of high school, who carried the weight of the Royals organization on his shoulders, delivered the city its first championship title in over 30 years. You couldn’t write it any better. 

 

Good luck in retirement, Eric.

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