The difficult Dozier legacy


In 2013, Kansas City selected Hunter Dozier out of Stephen F. Austin State University in the first round with the eighth pick. According to an article from Royals Rundown in 2013: "Dozier was a multi-sport star at Denton High School. He was the shortstop and ace right-handed pitcher on the baseball team and also quarterbacked the football squad. He was a 2008 all-area selection and the district Newcomer of the Year. After suffering a football injury as a junior, he came back to hit .400 during his senior season and earned all-district honors." Dozier was obviously a star coming out of high school and college, but it didn't carry over to the big leagues. During his time with the boys in blue, he batted 2093 times collecting 498 hits. Of those 498 hits, the Texas native panned out to a career line of 258 runs batted in; and of those 498 hits, 73 of them were home runs. Dozier's contract extension came shortly after his breakout season in 2019. Dozier posted a .279 average, .348 OBP and 26 home runs to go with his league-leading 10 triples. Unfortunately, Dozier's 2019 season didn't carry over to the rest of his Royals’ career. Dozier's 2023 season with the boys in blue ended with a batting average of .183 with only 2 home runs and 9 runs batted in. Aside from his playing career with the Royals, he and his wife, Amanda, wanted to be good role models for boys and girls in the Kansas City metro. According to an article from last season: "Right now, over 200 children & teens in our community don’t have a positive mentor to help ignite their potential. This season, I’m committed to doing something about it. Join me and #StepUpBig by pledging to donate to Big Brothers Big Sisters for every double I hit this season. Each donation will help Big Brothers Big Sisters match more Little Brothers and Sisters across Kansas City with a positive, caring mentor." The departure of Dozier unfortunately will leave a hole in our community; but it could be good for his career and for the Royals who are looking to give younger players, like Maikel Garcia, the opportunity to show the big league club what they can offer. Although I was hoping Dozier would play well after he signed his deal with the Royals, I wish him nothing but the best as a person and success with his next ballclub.


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