*Photo from TheScore*
The end of the line has come for this player. First baseman Eric Hosmer is retiring after 13 years in the majors, according to an announcement by Hosmer.
Hosmer started a new company, MoonBall Media, and also started a new podcast called Diggin Deep. The 34 year old ends his career as a one time All Star, a Silver Slugger winner, a 4 time gold glove winner, and a World Series champion with the Kansas City Royals in 2015.
Asked about his decision, Hosmer said that "You have to be 110% committed and doing what is necessary both physically and mentally to play at the major-league level, and I reached a point where I wasn't there anymore. I'm very satisfied with my career. I feel like I accomplished a lot, was around a lot of great people and have a lot of good stories to tell."
Last season, Hosmer suited up for the Chicago Cubs after signing a one year contract. He compiled a .234/.280/.330 slash line with a paltry 64 OPS+, hitting 3 doubles and two home runs with 14 RBI's in 31 games. The Cubs DFA'd and eventually released him in May, and he went unsigned.
Chosen with the 3rd overall pick in the 2008 MLB Draft by the Royals, Hosmer spent the first 7 years of his career in Kansas City. He won all 4 of his gold gloves with the Royals and was a pivotal part of the Royals AL Pennant winning team in 2014 and the World Series team in 2015. Making the playoffs in 2014 snapped a playoff drought dating back to 1985 when they won the World Series.
Royals GM JJ Picollo said in a statement "Really proud of Hoz's career and everything he did for our organization. His legacy is going to live forever as part of that world championship team, being one of the leaders. The big hits, the big moments that he had personally that affected our city – he's a pretty special player. You don't get too many players through the course of your history that leave that lasting legacy, and Hoz is one of them. He has a reputation as being one of those types of guys that when he speaks, people listen. And we witnessed it for a long time. It was awesome to be a part of."
After tying a career high in home runs with 25 and setting career highs in batting average, on base percentage, and OPS in 2017, Hosmer signed an 8 year deal with the San Diego Padres ahead of the 2018 season. He still has two years left on his contract that the Padres are on the hook for.
Hosmer has played for the Padres, Royals, Cubs, and Boston Red Sox across his 13 seasons in the majors. He has a .276/.335/.427 slash line with a 107 OPS+ to his name, belting 198 home runs to go with 893 RBI's in 1,689 games. He has a .257 average with 4 home runs and 33 RBI's in 37 playoff games.
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