The memory of his close friend and fallen former teammate, Yordano Ventura, remains embedded in Eric Hosmer. When Ventura was killed in a car accident in his native Dominican Republic in February of last year, the tragedy shook Hosmer and the Royals organization.
Though Hosmer has left Kansas City and since signed an eight-year, $144 million contract with the Padres, he will bring an homage to Ventura with him -- Hosmer plans to don No. 30, the number Ventura wore when they were Royals teammates.
Hosmer was known to have a close relationship with Ventura, and the first baseman was even seen to be a mentor to the young pitcher.