Kansas City Royals' World Series Champion, All-Star and Gold Glover Announces Retirement

Former All-Star first baseman Eric Hosmer, who won a World Series ring with the Kansas City Royals has announced his retirement after 13 seasons. He also had stints with the San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs.

Former Kansas City Royals' first baseman and World Champion Eric Hosmer has announced his retirement at the age of 34.

He made the announcement on Wednesday on the Diggin Deep Podcast, which is a new venture he's undertaking through his media company, "Moonball Media."

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

All in all, Hosmer spent 13 years in the big leagues with the Royals, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs. He helped the Royals get to the World Series in both 2014 and 2015 and was a major reason why they beat the New York Mets in the 2015 Fall Classic.

A premium defender, Hosmer won four Gold Glove Awards in his career. He also won a Silver Slugger Award and was named the MVP of the 2016 All-Star Game.

Lifetime, Hosmer was a .276 hitter who belted 198 home runs. He hit more than 20 home runs in a season three different times, including a career-high 25 in both 2016 and 2017.

Perhaps more importantly than any of his individual stats, Hosmer was instrumental in rebuilding Kansas City into a baseball city. Though the Kansas City Chiefs get the spotlight now, when Hosmer, Alex Gordon, Mike Moustakas and Co. were winning the 2015 World Series, Patrick Mahomes wasn't even in town yet.

He spent seven years in Kansas City before spending the next five in San Diego. He helped the Padres reach the playoffs during the COVID-shortened 2020 season and then finished out 2022 with the Red Sox and played 31 games for the Cubs in 2023.

Hosmer was also an integral member of the 2017 United States' World Baseball Classic team that won the Gold Medal.

Fastball on FanNation is going to be interviewing Hosmer on Wednesday about his career, so be on the lookout for that. 

As for his podcast and media venture? The Diggin Deep podcast is an original weekly podcast series will tackle the hottest topics in sports and media, with Hosmer and co-hosts Peter Moylan, a 12-year MLB veteran, and Justin Su’a, a Process and Development Coach to elite athletes, coaches and executive. You can find it wherever you get your podcast.

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