My favorite player of all time in Major League Baseball is Eric Hosmer. So much so, I want to name my kid Hoz (if my wife approves, of course).
He led the team that I’ve cheered for since I was in diapers to back-to-back World Series and has meant so much to Kansas City.
I didn’t ever get to watch Kansas City Royal great George Brett play, but I can imagine it looked very similar to the way that Hosmer approaches the game of baseball.
The Royals play with toughness and passion, and the fans can certainly see that when they take the field every summer night.
But as we turn on the television this spring, the man playing first base for the Royals will be different, as Hosmer has decided to sign with the San Diego Padres for a monster $144 million over eight seasons.
It’s a day that we knew was coming, but now that it’s here, it stings a little bit.
Now if anyone blames Hosmer for leaving or bad mouths him, that’s a you problem and not a him problem.
Hosmer did wonders for this team, and what he provided was something that Kansas City really needed.
This was Hosmer’s chance to cash in big after being a star in this league, and I don’t blame him. For a majority of his career, the Royals were not paying much for an all-star first baseman, and that wasn’t going to last forever.
I’m glad for Hosmer and I wish him all the best in San Diego. There is a chance one day his number will sit in the outfield at Kauffman Stadium with the rest of the retired numbers because he meant that much and was special during his time as a Kansas City Royal.
Avery Osen is a graduate student in mass communications. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Collegian. Please send comments to opinion@kstatecollegian.com.
