Results tagged ‘ Eric Hosmer ’

Ned Yost media session: June 9, 2013

Royals skipper Ned Yost addressed the media prior to today’s series finale with the Houston Astros.  Yost first discussed the today’s lineup that gave both Alcides Escobar and Lorenzo Cain a day off.  “We plan a couple days in advance.  We try to pick a good day for them to have off, Escobar has played almost every game and we try to give Cain a day off every seven to ten games to let him get his legs under him.  Detroit’s coming in tomorrow and that is a big series and with the day-game turnaround today we made the decision a couple days ago.”

Yost then commented on the recent improved performance of first baseman Eric Hosmer.  “He’s improving tremendously…you know when he gets up over .300…over the rest of the season it will be because he can pull the ball more efficiently.  That’s the key he has tremendous power to the pull side, he’s got very very good power to the opposite field, but he hasn’t utilized his pull power.  He’s starting to get his swing freed up and starting to get the bat head back out, and when he’s able to pull the pull the ball with a little more frequency that’s when he’s going to be back to being the player I think he can be.”

Yost concluded the conference by discussing the play of closer Greg Holland.  “He’s throwing the ball great, I feel every time we get to the ninth inning I feel really really good about it.  You know that’s your focus once the game starts is how do I get a lead to Greg Holland.  We’ve got a lot of confidence in Greg and he’s throwing the ball really well right now.”

Ned Yost media session: June 5, 2013

Tonight the Royals lineup looks a little different than it has all season. The revised batting order includes Eric Hosmer batting second, Sal Perez third and Alcides Escobar ninth, all for the first time this season. Ned Yost was asked by a reporter if he changed things to try spark the lineup and score some runs. “You answered the question. Right now we are just trying some different stuff. We are trying to get the lineup to a point where we can be productive and score some runs. We are just kind of shuffling our cards a bit. We’re just trying to find a way to get going,” said Yost.

Hosmer was also a hot topic at the press conference. Yost was asked if they are trying to help the young hitter start pulling the ball. “We are trying to get Eric freed up to where he can pull the ball. When he first got here, he was a kid that could really pull ball. He also could get the ball to all fields. Over the course of the last few years he has gotten away from pulling it. We are in the process of doing some things to free him up so he can pull the ball again,” said the manager.

Last night Alex Gordon recorded his sixth outfield assist of the season. The skipper was asked how valuable the two-time Gold Glover is in left field. “He is a huge asset out there. He could be the best throwing outfielder in all of baseball. When you aren’t scoring runs you had better stop the opposing team from scoring and Gordy does that with great frequency,” said Yost.

Photos: Armed Forces Day

The Royals held a special pregame ceremony on Memorial Day – Armed Forces Day presented by Budweiser.  Here’s a look:

Armed Forces Day

Sgt. Retired Robert Riley, a World War II veteran, threw out a first pitch.

Sgt. Retired Robert Riley, a World War II veteran, threw out a first pitch.

CM Sgt, Retired Charlie Sibert also threw out a first pitch. The World War II veteran posed for a picture with his catcher, third baseman Mike Moustakas.

CM Sgt, Retired Charlie Sibert also threw out a first pitch. The World War II veteran posed for a picture with his catcher, third baseman Mike Moustakas.

A look at the special uniform for the day.

A look at the special uniform for the day.

Military members lined up alongside the Royals for the national anthem.

Military members lined up alongside the Royals for the national anthem.

 

Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer added to Team USA roster for World Baseball Classic

USA Baseball announced today that Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer has been added to the U.S. roster for the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

Hosmer, 23, recorded 14 home runs and 60 RBI in 2012, his second season in the Major Leagues. He batted .389 for Team USA at the 2010 Pan American Games Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico.

Hosmer joins Royals left-handed reliever Tim Collins on Team USA. The Royals now have a total of nine players on 2013 World Baseball Classic rosters: Hosmer, Collins, left-handed pitcher Atahualpa Severino (Dominican Republic), right-handed pitchers Kelvin Herrera (Dominican Republic) and Luis Mendoza (Mexico), catcher Salvador Perez (Venezuela), infielders Irving Falu (Puerto Rico) and Miguel Tejada (Dominican Republic); and outfielder Paulo Orlando (Brazil).

Crow’s Nest: Royals pitcher visits his elementary school on Caravan

Crow_Auburn1School visits are a big hit on Royals Caravan and mascot Sluggerrr meets with students throughout the year.  However, it isn’t everyday that a player can retrace his roots while on Caravan.  Kansas native and Royals pitcher Aaron Crow had that opportunity on Thursday as the Caravan contingent rolled into Auburn, Kan., population 1,227.  The assembly at Auburn Elementary included a presentation of stadium seats from The K (and the Caravan participants autographed the seats)!  Let’s take a look at photos of Crow along with Eric Hosmer, Everett Teaford, Royals Hall of Famer Willie Wilson, broadcaster Ryan Lefebvre and Sluggerrr:

Auburn_group1

Crow_baseballTeaford_Sluggerrr_AuburnCrow signing

Royals Caravan visits KU Med

KU visit Butler_Hos_Gio

A pair of Caravan groups started their two-day treks across Royals Country today with a stop at The University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kan.  One Caravan is now moving north to Nebraska, with a return stop in St. Joseph, Mo., tomorrow.  The second Caravan is traveling west with visits in Kansas today and tomorrow.

For a full list of Caravan stops, visit royals.com/caravan

Above – Billy Butler, Eric Hosmer, Johnny Giavotella; below – Aaron Crow

Crow_Ku

Butler_Gio_KUmed

Above, Billy Butler and Johnny Giavotella

Mayberry_Lefebvre_Teaford_HollandJohn Mayberry, Ryan Lefebvre, Everett Teaford, Greg Holland; followed by a group photo

KU Group

Four Royals named finalists for A.L. Rawlings Gold Glove Awards

Rawlings Sporting Goods Company announced finalists for the 2012 Gold Glove Awards today.  First baseman Eric Hosmer, third baseman Mike Moustakas, left fielder Alex Gordon and right fielder Jeff Francoeur are among the three American League nominees at their respective positions!

The Royals have had 19 Gold Glove winners over the years, with Gordon winning last year in left field.  Francoeur won a Gold Glove in 2007 while playing for Atlanta.

Hosmer was a part of 132 double plays, most in the American League.  His 103 assists were the most by a KC first baseman since 2002.

Moustakas (above) was second among A.L. third basemen in fielding percentage, first in assists, total chances and zone rating.  He led all Major League third basemen with 41 double plays.  The mark set a new Royals single-season record, breaking Mark Teahen’s total of 34 in 2006.

Francoeur led the Majors with 19 outfield assists, tying his career high from 2007.  This was his eighth straight season with double-digit assists.

Gordon finished second to Francoeur with 17 outfield assists.

The award winners will be announced Tuesday night at 8:30 Central on ESPN2.

A complete list of finalists can be viewed at: 
http://www.rawlings.com/newsdetaillanding.aspx?id=1332

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City names Eric Hosmer as new spokesperson

Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer has joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City (BBBS-KC) as a new celebrity ambassador for the organization.  Hosmer will become an official celebrity spokesperson for BBBS-KC, will participate in a signature fundraising event and will lead a large scale male recruitment campaign focused on recruiting Bigs for over 300 waiting children.  Additionally, he will provide BBBS-KC Bigs and Littles game tickets and meet and greet opportunities.  Hosmer will kick off his involvement at BBBS-KC’s Man-2-Man event in April.

“Growing up in Florida I had the good fortune of having an older brother who showed me the ropes,” said Hosmer.  “Now that I’m older and in a position to help, I’m excited to be someone that the kids in the Kansas City area can look up to and it’s an honor for me to support such an outstanding organization.”

“Having Eric’s support of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program is a huge honor,” said CEO of BBBS-KC Micheal Lawrence.  “Eric’s commitment to helping at-risk children succeed through mentoring friendships is a true testament to his character.  Not only is Eric a talented athlete but he is an extraordinary person who is passionate about changing children’s lives.  We are excited to have him on board”

About Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters helps vulnerable children beat the odds.  The organization depends on donations to help recruit volunteers and reach more children.  Funding is used to conduct background checks on volunteers to ensure child safety; and provide ongoingsupport for children, families and volunteers to build and sustain long-lasting relationships.  Big Brothers Big Sisters is proven to improve children’s odds for succeeding in school, behaving nonviolently, avoiding drugs and alcohol, and breaking negative cycles.  Learn how you can change how children grow up in America by going to BigBrothersBigSisterskc.org.

 

Photos: Royals sign at Rally House in Independence

Royals Caravan launched yesterday with an awards luncheon and last night, fans flocked to Rally House in Independence for an autograph session.  We had a great turnout – the line stretched out the door (and it was a chilly night in the Midwest).  Lorenzo Cain, Johnny Giavotella and Eric Hosmer led off, followed by Bruce Chen, Alex Gordon and Mitch Maier.  Let’s take a look:

Royals Awards Luncheon Photos (2 of 2)

Below - Eric Hosmer, the Joe Burke Special Achievement Award winner

Johnny Giavotella and George Brett – Giavotella won the George Brett Hitter of the Year honor
Lorenzo Cain, recipient of the Frank White Defensive Player of the Year award

 

 
 

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