Eric Hosmer, came out swinging to start 2021. He had three hits in each of the first two games and 13 total bases in those games--setting two franchise records for the San Diego Padres. As of this posting, he has an amazing .636 batting average and 2.030 OPS for the (admittedly not-even-week-old) season with 3 runs, 2 home runs, and 6 RBIs.
My mother, Jane, passed away just a couple of weeks before the MLB season was supposed to begin. This Mothers Day, I'm missing her terribly, and I don't have her beloved sport of baseball to keep me company. So, in her honor, I'm crowning her all-time MLBoyfriend.
First, let's give some honorable mentions to some worthy candidates for the title of Mom's MLBoyfriend.
Minnesota Classic: Tony Oliva
Mom was born and raised in Minnesota. Although she moved (all the way to Iowa!) well before the MLB franchise came to the state, she always had a soft spot for the Twins. Growing up, I heard a lot about great Minnesota players including Rod Carew, Harmon Killebrew, and, Tony Oliva. Later, I was a little surprised to discover that Oliva is not a household name even among serious baseball fans.
Oliva played all 15 years of his career with the Twins, and for eight of them, he was one of the best hitters in baseball. He was the 1964 American League Rookie of the Year, won 4 AL batting titles, went to 8 All-Star Games, and ended up with some very respectable career stats, Oliva remains Twins royalty. Last year, at age 80, he went on a road trip with the team as a special bench coach.
The Pretty Boys: Trevor Plouffe & Eric Hosmer
Plouffe & Hosmer
Mom appreciated talented players, but she also liked a little eye candy on the field--the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. For example, Trevor Plouffe was a good player who had a few solid years with Minnesota....
....However, it wasn't his numbers that made him Mom's favorite Twins player in the early 2010s.
Mom started watching most of the Kansas City's games because that's the team the local sports channel carried. Eric Hosmer quickly became her favorite of the Royals. He had good stats...
....But he gave really good face.
I named Hosmer as my MLBoyfriend a few years ago, and I strongly urge you to read that post to find out how Mom revealed her crush on him to me in the funniest emails I've ever received from anyone. Seriously, click here and check it out.
The Slugger: David Ortiz
Mom and Dad co-owned a team in our family fantasy baseball league. She was mostly a silent partner, but she insisted that they draft David Ortiz every season he played. Even though many of us (including Dad) doubted the choice thinking he was bound to go into decline. Mom knew what she was doing though. He was an excellent hitter right up to the end of his career.
Mom was quick to remind you that she spotted Ortiz early--his rookie year when he was playing as "David Arias" in Minnesota. She never really forgave the Twins for trading him.
Mom's #1 MLBoyfriend: Roberto Clemente
I emailed my siblings asking for suggestions for a list of Mom's favorite baseball players. My brother John replied, "Doesn't that list begin and end with Roberto Clemente?"
More importantly, Roberto Clemente was one of the greatest people ever to play baseball. His biggest legacies are his advocacy for civil rights and his humanitarian work. He literally died serving others. He was on his way to deliver relief supplies to Nicaragua after a devastating earthquake when the small plane he was on crashed into the ocean.
Roberto Clemente holding a baseball clinic for low-income
children in Puerto Rico.
MLB's Roberto Clemente Award is given to the player who "best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field". If you want to know more about why Roberto Clemente was a hero both on and off the baseball field, check out this short video that pieces together clips from a variety of sources. (Thankfully, someone else has risked copyright infringement, so I didn't have to.)
An incredibly talented baseball player who fights for social and economic justice was totally Mom's perfect man. Apologies to her husband of 63 years, my father, but even he would tell you that Roberto Clemente was her all-time favorite. I know it's trivial compared to everything else, but it certainly didn't hurt that he was really handsome.
Congratulation, Roberto Clemente! You were Jane Hogan's All-Time #1 MLBoyfriend. Certainly, this must rank as one of the greatest honors of your career.
Defensive Player of the Year (Center Field), Best Overall Defensive Player, Golden Glove (Center Field, AL), Platinum Glove (AL)
Week 22: Anthony Rizzo
Roberto Clemente Award (recognizing those who best represent the game through positive contributions on and off the field, including sportsmanship and community involvement), Players Choice Man of the Year
Congratulations to all my MLB-Award-Winning MLBoyfriends! You've done me proud.
Eric Hosmer definitely had a MLBoyfriend worth week. He had a .393 batting average with a .914 OPS, one home run, eight runs, eight RBIs and two stolen bases.
Truth be told, I've just been waiting for Hosmer to have a great week for a while. I wanted to name him my MLBoyfriend, so that I would have an excuse to post an email exchange I had with my mother in May. She sent me a message titled, "Eric Hosmer" that simply read: "IS Eric gay? MOm". I replied: "I don't think so. Why do you ask?" Then, Mom slayed with her answer: "I have him in my dreams. MOm".
