MIAMI -- Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer's roots run deep in South Florida. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2008 Draft out of American Heritage High School in Plantation, Fla., Hosmer developed his skills in the Miami area, where his father, Mike, was a firefighter for 29 years.
"It's what started it all for me," Hosmer said before Tuesday series opener at Marlins Park. "I remember coming to Marlins games with my mom and dad and watching them play, and hoping to be in their position one day. It drove me to work as hard as I possibly can to put myself in this position.