Nelson Cruz Announces Retirement from Baseball After 19 Seasons
After a successful career that spanned 19 seasons and eight teams, Nelson Cruz has announced his retirement from baseball. The 43-year-old slugger made the announcement during an interview with The Adam Jones Podcast on Thursday.
Cruz had an impressive career, spending eight seasons with the Texas Rangers from 2006 to 2013. During his time with the Rangers, he earned two All-Star nods and was named the ALSC MVP in 2011. He also had stints with the Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, Washington Nationals, and San Diego Padres. In 2014, Cruz led the major leagues with 40 home runs while playing for the Orioles.
Throughout his career, Cruz was known for his power hitting and was a four-time Silver Slugger award winner. He finished his career with 464 home runs and a slash line of .274/.343/.513 through 2,055 games.
In addition to his on-field accomplishments, Cruz was also recognized for his off-field contributions. He won the Roberto Clemente Award in 2021, which is given to the player who best exemplifies sportsmanship and community involvement. He also won the Edgar Martínez Award twice in 2017 and 2019.
Despite his impressive career statistics, Cruz’s case for the Hall of Fame is complicated. He had a late start to his career, making his MLB debut at the age of 28. Additionally, more than half of his playing time was spent as a designated hitter. In 2013, Cruz was suspended for 50 games due to PED use, which further complicates his Hall of Fame candidacy.
One of the main arguments for Cruz’s induction into the Hall of Fame is the recent inclusion of Harold Baines, who was voted in by the veteran’s committee despite having a lower Wins Above Replacement (WAR) than Cruz. However, Cruz’s WAR of 41.5 falls well below the 67 WAR of Edgar Martínez and the 53.2 WAR of David Ortiz, two comparable Hall of Famers. Cruz also never won an MVP award and never finished in the top five in MVP voting.
Moving on to Cruz’s legacy with the Minnesota Twins, he made a significant impact during his time with the team. In 2019, his first year with the Twins, Cruz provided strong leadership both on and off the field. He played a crucial role in transforming the team’s culture and was seen as a role model and father figure by his teammates. Cruz’s presence helped the Twins set a major-league record with 307 home runs that season.
Even as he departed from the Twins in July 2021, Cruz continued to contribute to the team. His trade to the Tampa Bay Rays resulted in the Twins acquiring starting pitcher Joe Ryan, further showcasing Cruz’s value to the organization.
In conclusion, Nelson Cruz’s retirement marks the end of an illustrious career that saw him become one of baseball’s best hitters of the past decade. While his Hall of Fame case may be complicated, there is no denying the impact he had on the teams he played for and the legacy he leaves behind. As fans and analysts reflect on his career, it is clear that Cruz will be remembered as a powerful hitter and a respected leader in the game of baseball.