Fred Rico--1970
On Sunday, September 4, 2011, the
Royals hosted the Indians as the Tribe
chased the Tigers in the race for the
American League Central title.
After Cleveland scored a run in the top
of the first, Indians hurler Jeanmar
Gomez retired the first two Royals hitters,
before Billy Butler doubled to deep right
field. Up stepped rookie first baseman
Eric Hosmer and four wide pitches were
called for as Hosmer was issued an
intentional walk. Rookie second
baseman Johnny Giavotella promptly
flied out and the crisis was averted as
the Indians would ultimately defeat the
Royals, 9-6.
Hosmer was hitting a respectable .283
with 15 homers and 64 RBI in 107 games
at the time. The lefty swinger, who has
drawn comparisons to a young Adrian
Gonzalez or Todd Helton, became the
first rookie of 2011 to be intentionally
passed.
He also became the second-ever Kansas
City Royal to receive an intentional walk
as a rookie. The first was Fred Rico.
Rico, whose big league career was
limited to 12 games for the expansion
Royals, was handed the first intentional
walk in Royals history for a rookie on
September 2, 1969. Tiger hurler Mickey
Lolich purposely walked Rico in order to
face opposing pitcher Roger Nelson in
an effort to end an inning that resulted in
three KC runs being scored.
For the outfielder it would be one of
three walks on the day and nine in his
abbreviated career. Rico would hit
just .231 with two doubles to his
credit during his lone big league season.
Yet, it was good enough to place his
name in the Royals record book and in
the good company of Eric Hosmer.
Editor's Note: Rico also played another
important role in Royals history, as the
outfielder was traded to the Cardinals on
September 14, 1970 for second
baseman Cookie Rojas. Rojas would
thrive in Kansas City, logging four All-
Star honors, while being a member of the
Royals first playoff clubs of 1976-77.
(9/14/11)
Royals hosted the Indians as the Tribe
chased the Tigers in the race for the
American League Central title.
After Cleveland scored a run in the top
of the first, Indians hurler Jeanmar
Gomez retired the first two Royals hitters,
before Billy Butler doubled to deep right
field. Up stepped rookie first baseman
Eric Hosmer and four wide pitches were
called for as Hosmer was issued an
intentional walk. Rookie second
baseman Johnny Giavotella promptly
flied out and the crisis was averted as
the Indians would ultimately defeat the
Royals, 9-6.
Hosmer was hitting a respectable .283
with 15 homers and 64 RBI in 107 games
at the time. The lefty swinger, who has
drawn comparisons to a young Adrian
Gonzalez or Todd Helton, became the
first rookie of 2011 to be intentionally
passed.
He also became the second-ever Kansas
City Royal to receive an intentional walk
as a rookie. The first was Fred Rico.
Rico, whose big league career was
limited to 12 games for the expansion
Royals, was handed the first intentional
walk in Royals history for a rookie on
September 2, 1969. Tiger hurler Mickey
Lolich purposely walked Rico in order to
face opposing pitcher Roger Nelson in
an effort to end an inning that resulted in
three KC runs being scored.
For the outfielder it would be one of
three walks on the day and nine in his
abbreviated career. Rico would hit
just .231 with two doubles to his
credit during his lone big league season.
Yet, it was good enough to place his
name in the Royals record book and in
the good company of Eric Hosmer.
Editor's Note: Rico also played another
important role in Royals history, as the
outfielder was traded to the Cardinals on
September 14, 1970 for second
baseman Cookie Rojas. Rojas would
thrive in Kansas City, logging four All-
Star honors, while being a member of the
Royals first playoff clubs of 1976-77.
(9/14/11)
