Eric Hosmer Hits First Home Run in Yankee Stadium...Some Foreshadowing in the Bronx?

On May 11, 2011, Kansas City Royals' first baseman Eric Hosmer hit his much anticipated first major league home run after an encouraging debut. Read about both by clicking here. I am a recently seduced Yahoo Fantasy Baseball junkie, and had Hosmer in my line-up for his debut. I am also a Royals fan. Seeing this kind of potential added to an already talented team makes it a little more exciting this season! So, when Hosmer launched the ball into the second level, I cheered as I listened to my radio subscription on MLB.com.

It is at this point that my mind started to drift to the future as it often does. One of the broadcasters made the comment that there is hope that Eric Hosmer can challenge Mark Teixeira for the title of best defensive first baseman in the American League. This hit me like a ton of bricks as my mind drifted to the life-sized Johnny Damon poster that I got as a game promotion at Kauffman Stadium several years ago now sitting in a box in my garage.

Hope was restored when I thought back to the night of Hosmer's debut. It is going to cost the Royals a lot of money for calling him up to the majors five weeks sooner than planned. One of the FSN broadcasters mentioned the legendary George Brett as a vision for what Eric Hosmer might become. While I hope he becomes of the same status as George Brett in Kansas City, I could not help but think that the Yankees are probably licking their chops at the prospect of filling the giant hole that will be left by the departure of one of their big hitters.

Jorge Posada, Derek Jeter, and Alex Rodriguez are nearing the end of their careers, which could shake things up in the New York infield. A-Rod probably has several years ahead as a DH, but maybe not in New York. Teixeira has nine years on Hosmer, which is a lot in baseball, and as with Rodriguez, has a future as a DH. No matter the future, I think Eric Hosmer is a breath of fresh air for Major League Baseball.