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Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Eric Hosmer Looking Forward to Cubs Debut at Wrigley Field

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Ryan Sikes | Last updated 2/25/23

The veteran first baseman will bring valuable leadership to a young Cubs roster.

Eric Hosmer has played at Wrigley Field 17 times before in his career, but all previous stops have come as a member of the visiting dugout. For the first time, he'll get to experience the history and allure of the ballpark on a regular basis as a member of the Chicago Cubs.

"It's going to be a fun summer at Wrigley Field," Hosmer told Marquee Sports Network. "Not many people get to be able to call that place home, so I'm really looking forward to it."

The 33-year-old was integral to the Kansas City Royals' run of back-to-back World Series appearances, culminating in a championship in 2015.

That offseason, Hosmer moved on from the Royals and signed an eight-year, $144 million deal with the San Diego Padres. At the time, it was the largest contract in franchise history.

In parts of five seasons with the Padres, he posted a .265/.325/.411 slash line with 69 home runs and 309 RBIs. Unfortunately, outside of the shortened COVID-impacted 2020 season, Hosmer's groundball rate was at least 55 percent or higher, a number he never hit during his time with Kansas City.

Hosmer may not have lived up to the expectations that his contract warranted. He was dealt to the Boston Red Sox at the 2022 trade deadline and designated for assignment after the season.

Cubs Connection

With the option to sign anywhere, the veteran infielder was interested in linking up with familiar faces in Chicago.

"I'm familiar with (Mike) Napoli and a couple of the other coaches I was with in San Diego, so that had a real comfortable feeling for me, knowing what I'm getting myself into," Hosmer said.

"I'm just going to try and help in any way I can."

Having helped guide Kansas City and San Diego to multiple playoff runs, Hosmer brings a winning culture to the Cubs, who are looking to build off a 39-31 record in the second half of 2022.

Moving forward, he wants to be part of the next great Cubs team.

"I think we all know what the group in 2016 did here and how special that was just watching from a distance," he said. "You see the city come together. The atmosphere at Wrigley and (David Ross) was a part of all that, so he knows what that looks like."

Along with Hosmer, the Cubs brought in other accomplished players like Trey Mancini, Dansby Swanson, and Cody Bellinger on the offensive side of the ball.

The former Kansas City Royal understands that manager David Ross will count on him to help guide the younger players on the roster and develop a winning culture.

"He's been preaching that message on us, and it's on me and a couple other the veteran guys and make sure we all stay in line and just keep towards that goal," Hosmer said.

How does he go about achieving that?

"I think the big thing about baseball is it's repetitive," he added. "You got to go out there and do the boring stuff every single day to make sure you are where you need to go. But that's the stuff we love doing, and that's why we love being out here. I'm looking forward to it."

Hosmer will be penciled in as the everyday first baseman for the Cubs entering the 2023 campaign. He has four Gold Gloves at the position to lean on. But, given that this year's roster has more depth than in recent seasons, he could be tasked with splitting time with other players.

However, Hosmer doesn't view that as a negative.

"Get some guys off their feet certain days. It's a long, grueling year, so I think we have a lot of depth we can match up, right to left, and a lot of guys that are out to prove something," he said.

"It makes for a fun group, and (David Ross) and his staff are great. They let us go do what we got to do, and we enjoy getting some good work in."