KC Royals World Series Champion Announces Retirement

He was an elite prospect who was so hyped up, it would have been impossible to deliver on the hype. And he didn't. Not even close. Yet, in his 13 seasons in the majors, Eric Hosmer won four Gold Glove Awards, a Silver Slugger Award, and a World Series championship with the 2015 Kansas City Royals. Not a bad career, after all. And now, Hosmer has decided to hang up the cleats, announcing his retirement.

BREAKING: Eric Hosmer has announced his retirement pic.twitter.com/xeQD4iIpAs

— Royals Daily (@RoyalsDaily_) February 21, 2024

All of Hosmer's accolades as listed above came during his seven years with the Royals, who drafted him with the No. 3 overall selection in the 2008 MLB Draft.

In KC, he averaged .284 in more than 1,000 games, with a terrific on-base percentage of .342, 127 homers, a .781 OPS and an OPS+ of 111. 

It was certainly Hosmer's time in San Diego that will ring as a disappointment, as he slashed .265/.325/.411 with just 69 HR and an 0.3 fWAR in 596 games with the Padres after signing an 8-year, $144M contract. The Friars are still paying him.

Overall, he leaves his playing days with a .276 average, 198 long balls, and an OPS+ of 107, just a bit above average.

At the same time, while announcing his retirement from the game, Hosmer also announced a new venture. 

Excited to take on this new challenge, MoonBall Media, and our first project, The Diggin’ Deep Podcast. The playing days are unfortunately over but I’m committed to giving back to the baseball community that helped shaped my life. Episode 1 live now. https://t.co/EjfJjgb5aJ pic.twitter.com/PlcX5h4fXc

— Eric Hosmer (@TheRealHos305) February 21, 2024

MoonBall Media is a media and production company, with the intent to “create, curate, and distribute content by mixing sports and powerful stories with a purpose.” 

Good luck to the 34-year-old in his business journey.