Heritage alumnus Eric Hosmer and the Kansas City Royals are making their mark on the 2014 Major League Baseball (MLB) playoffs. The Royals have not been in the playoffs since 1985 and have now won four straight playoff games, three of them in extra innings, and are just four wins away from the World Series.
Hosmer, who graduated from Heritage in 2008, plays first base for the Royals and has had a significant role in the Royals’ success in the playoffs so far.
During the American League Wildcard game against the Oakland Athletics, which was win or go home, Hosmer set up the 11th inning comeback with a lead-off triple that bounced of the left field wall. Then in the series against the Los Angeles Angels, who had the best record during the regular season, Hosmer homered in the 11th inning of game 2 to give the Royals the win. Then he hit another home run in the series clinching, 8-3 victory.
Hosmer was selected third overall by the Royals in 2008 and made his major league debut in 2011. He played at Heritage under assistant coach Michael Macey, who is now a dean. According to Dean Macey, throughout his career at Heritage, Hosmer had always shown high levels of talent and had aspirations of playing in the majors.
“We’ve been working and preparing for this moment a long time,” Hosmer said after sweeping the Angels to move onto the American League Championship Series (ALCS).
Hosmer has been batting .500 (7-14) thus far in the playoffs. He has hit two home runs, one triple, one double and has been walked five times through four games. Hosmer is tied for first in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in, with 5, this postseason.
As Hosmer keeps on producing, the Royals keep winning, and the Kansas City faithful begin to hold up more and more signs cheering for the Heritage alumnus, also known as “The Wizard of Hos.”
Hosmer and the Royals continue their playoff run tonight as they battle the Baltimore Orioles in the first game of the ALCS.
