Hosmer to honor late Ventura, wear No. 30

With No. 35 not available in San Diego, Eric Hosmer found a way to honor late close friend Yordano Ventura.

Hosmer announced Tuesday that he will wear No. 30 with the Padres, the number Ventura wore when the two were teammates with the Kansas City Royals.

Ventura was killed 13 months ago in a car accident in the Dominican Republic at age 25.

"It really meant a lot to me to wear and carry on this number," Hosmer said during his Tuesday introductory press conference. "It's something that myself and the core guys of Kansas City want to continue to make sure Yordano's legacy is lived out."

Hosmer signed an eight-year, $144 million contact to join the Padres after spending his entire career in Kansas City.

He was unable to wear No. 35 as the Padres retired that number in honor of 1976 Cy Young Award winner Randy Jones, one of the franchise's first bona fide stars.

Third-base coach Glenn Hoffman was wearing No. 30 for San Diego, and Hosmer approached him and told him why he's like to wear the number.

"I spoke to Glenn Hoffman yesterday and I know he wears No. 30 and basically told him it would mean a lot to me if I can wear No. 30 and continue Yordano's legacy," Hosmer said. "It really meant a lot to me and Hoff was more than open of letting me carry on that number. And like I told him, 'I'll wear it with pride each and every day' and it's something that myself and the core guys with Kansas City want to continue to make sure that Yordano's legacy is lived out."

--Field Level Media