Eric Hosmer is a former professional baseball player who played as a first baseman in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born on October 24, 1989, in South Miami, Florida, and attended American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida. Hosmer was a highly touted prospect and was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the first round of the 2008 MLB draft.
Hosmer made his MLB debut in 2011 and quickly established himself as one of the top young players in the league. He was a key part of the Royals' run to the World Series in 2014, where they lost to the San Francisco Giants in seven games. Hosmer was named the MVP of the American League Championship Series that year.
In 2015, Hosmer helped lead the Royals to their first World Series championship in 30 years. He hit .351 in the postseason and was again a key contributor to the team's success. Hosmer was named an All-Star for the first time in his career that season and won his first Gold Glove Award.
Hosmer continued to be a productive player for the Royals over the next few seasons, earning All-Star honors in 2016 and 2017. He also won his second Gold Glove Award in 2017. In 2018, Hosmer signed a lucrative eight-year, $144 million contract with the San Diego Padres.
Hosmer struggled in his first season with the Padres, hitting just .253 with 18 home runs and 69 RBI. However, he bounced back in 2019, hitting .265 with 22 home runs and 99 RBI. Hosmer was also named a finalist for the Gold Glove Award at first base that season.
In 2020, Hosmer had another solid season, hitting .287 with nine home runs and 36 RBI in 38 games. He also helped lead the Padres to their first postseason appearance since 2006. However, the team was swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series.
Hosmer struggled in the early part of the 2021 season, hitting just .250 with one home run and 12 RBI in 36 games. He was placed on the injured list in May with a left shoulder injury and missed several weeks of action. Hosmer returned to the lineup in June but continued to struggle at the plate.
On August 5, 2021, Hosmer was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates along with two other players in exchange for five players. He played in just 24 games for the Pirates, hitting .222 with one home run and six RBI. Hosmer was released by the Pirates on November 4, 2021, effectively ending his MLB career.
Overall, Hosmer had a successful career in the majors, earning four Gold Glove Awards, one All-Star selection, and two World Series championships. He finished his career with a .277 batting average, 165 home runs, and 731 RBI in 1,362 games played.
⚾