Former Cubs’ free-agent bust returns to baseball in the most hilarious way

In the wake of trying to replace franchise icon Anthony Rizzo at first base, the period from 2021 to 2023 was a weird time for Chicago Cubs fans. The team saw a revolving door of prospects and veterans alike, each serving as a stop-gap before the Cubs found their eventual everyday man in Michael Busch. 

Some players, like fan-favorite Frank Schwindel, became icons in their short stay with the team. Schwindel captured the hearts of Cubs fans with his “Linsanity” run to close out the 2021 season. Others were not so beloved, and their on-field production caused them to quickly wear out their welcome in Chicago. 

Eric Hosmer comes to mind as one of the failed attempts to solve the Cubs' first base woes post-Rizzo. Initially brought on in 2023 as a placeholder to allow Matt Mervis more time to develop, Hosmer made the Cubs regret his signing almost immediately. 

In 100 plate appearances, Hosmer hit just .234 with an OPS+ of 68, accounting for a bWAR of -0.4 in the process. While the Cubs had hoped his veteran presence in the clubhouse would make up for his atrocious hitting, they were quickly left with no choice, cutting the cord after just 31 games. 

After going unsigned after his release, Hosmer announced his retirement from Major League Baseball in the 2024 offseason.

Hosmer made his return to baseball on Friday, just not where you expected.

For better or for worse, the Savannah Bananas are taking the baseball world by storm, with the team making stops at both major and minor league stadiums alike. Their latest stop saw them at Kauffman Stadium, home of the Kansas City Royals, the team where Hosmer won a World Series in 2015. 

Joined by fellow franchise icons Mike Moustakas and Alex Gordon, Hosmer made his return to the baseball diamond, this time as a dual-threat. After striking out at the plate, Hosmer took to the mound for the first time in his professional career, providing a scoreless third inning as the Bananas took a 3-1 victory.

Perhaps had Hosmer discovered his talent as a two-way player earlier, his career could’ve panned out differently in Chicago. Still, it is refreshing to see Hosmer with a smile on the baseball field and getting a hero’s welcome back in Kansas City, where he had the majority of his success in his career.