A Return Home

Eric Hosmer was the first player drafted my first year covering the Royals in 2008.

He was 18.

I was 36, still figuring out a new city, a new organization, and my place around a clubhouse full of big leaguers.

Even then, Hoz had a confidence about him. Not cocky. Just comfortable.

He knew he had a lot to learn and never pretended otherwise. But he was never overwhelmed. From day one, he carried himself like someone who belonged.

Over the years, he grew into one of the best leaders I’ve ever covered.

Now he’s 36.

And he’s a rookie again.

Hosmer joins the Royals broadcast team this season after getting a taste of it with us during a couple of pregame shows last year. In our early broadcast meetings, I’ve seen that same presence. He knows he’s the rookie in the room, but carries the confidence of someone who’s been around a long time.

Eric Hosmer as a guest analyst on Royals Live in 2025 at Fenway Park

Our new Royals.TV network includes another addition to our team, and this one also feels like a full-circle moment.

Bridget Howard grew up watching our broadcasts in Kansas City. Seven years ago, when she was a college senior at Kansas State, she shadowed Jeff Montgomery and me for a day to see what the job looked like behind the scenes.

We get a lot of people who shadow us.

But every now and then, you meet someone and think, she’s going to make it.

Bridget was one of those.

She was curious about everything. Asking questions. Taking it all in.

Bridget Howard job shadowing Royals Live as a senior at Kansas State in 2019

Now she’s back home joining our team and making history as the first woman on a Royals television broadcast.

Baseball has always been part of her story. Bridget is the daughter of former Royals infielder David Howard.

When I heard she’d be joining the broadcast and sharing some of my responsibilities, I couldn’t have been happier or prouder to see her realize that dream.

It’s fun to be on the other side now and see how many years she has ahead of her.

Two very different journeys.

One player who helped lead a championship era is returning to the organization in a new role.

One broadcaster who grew up watching the team and worked her way back home.

Same broadcast. Same mission of telling the stories of this team.

Small Ball, like baseball itself, reminds us that every role matters. The players on the field. The voices telling the story. The next generation stepping in.

A team gets better when the right people join the roster.

Small Ball principle: Every role matters.

Question: Where in your world could the right addition make your team stronger?