Major Leaguer Eric Hosmer Goes All Out for Kansas City Youth

World Series champion, All-Star Game MVP, three-time Gold Glove Award winner and 2017 World Baseball Classic champion — first baseman Eric Hosmer has developed an impressive baseball resume since joining the Kansas City Royals in 2011.

But in addition to making a big difference for the Royals in recent years, the 27-year-old has also made a positive and significant impact in the Kansas City community.

Hosmer has been heavily involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City (BBBSKC) since 2011. He was originally introduced to the organization — whose goal is to match “children facing adversity in one-to-one, life-changing friendships with adult volunteers,” according to the official website – by fellow Kansas City sports star Eric Berry of the Kansas City Chiefs.

It was the way his older brother, Mike Jr., treated him as a kid, however, that convinced him to become even more involved with BBBSKC.

“I just realized how good I had it growing up,” Hosmer told reporters. “There was always someone there, when Pops was at work, to go outside and play catch or just to guide me around throughout the day. This is an organization I’ve been with a long time and they’ve been great with us.”

“I think I just learned from how he treated me and how he accepted me as a friend: not like I was the annoying little younger guy,” Hosmer said in an interview in June 2016.

Hosmer has worked closely with the organization to find new ways to inspire others to get involved. In 2012, Hosmer spoke at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City to help recruit Big Brothers, Big Sisters and Big Couples through a program called “Step Up to the Plate with Eric Hosmer.”

In 2015, Hosmer started “Step Up Big with Eric Hosmer,” where he pledged to donate funds for every double he hit that season. In 2016, after pledging to donate $1,169.08 per double, he raised over $30,000 for BBBSKC.

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