Jose Cruz
From SoSH
| Born: | April 19, 1974 |
| Birthplace: | Arroyo, Puerto Rico |
| Hometown: | |
| Height: | 6' 0" |
| Weight: | 190 lbs |
| Bats: | Switch |
| Throws: | Right |
| Drafted: | 1995: 1st Rd. (3rd) by Seattle Mariners |
| College: | Rice University |
| High School: | Bellaire High School (TX) |
| Other Teams: | Seattle Mariners 1997 Toronto Blue Jays 1997-02 San Francisco Giants 2003 Tampa Bay Rays 2004 Arizona D'backs 2005 LA Dodgers 2005-2006 San Diego Padres 2007-Pres |
| Years with Boston: | 2005 |
José Cruz Jr. (born April 19, 1974 in Arroyo, Puerto Rico), is the son of former Major Leaguer Jose Cruz Sr. Juniors career can basically be summed up in two words... "Unreached Potential."
Contents |
Overall Career
Cruz Jr. was a first round pick, 3rd overall, for the Seattle Mariners in the 1995 amateur draft and made his Major League debut on May 31, 1997. His days in Seattle were short as he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for Paul Spoljaric and Mike Timlin on July 31, 1997. He stayed in Toronto until 2003, had two 30 home run seasons which included a 30-30 year. The San Francisco Giants signed him as a free agent in January of 2003. In San Francisco he won a Gold Glove and broke Willie Mays' single season record for outfield assist with 19. Despite the promising 2003 season the Giants let Cruz go, and he signed on with the Tampa Bay Rays for the 2004 season.
In 2005, Cruz Jr. played for three teams, the Arizona Diamondbacks (64 games), the Boston Red Sox (4 games) and lastly the Los Angeles Dodgers (47 games). Cruz, who was injured for most of the 2005 season ended the year on fire, hitting .301 with six homers as a Dodger.
Cruz was released by the Dodgers on August 1, 2006. He signed a one year contract with the San Diego Padres on December 5, 2006.
Cruz's Moments in the Sun
- Cruz Jr. had a 30 - 30 Season for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2001 (34 HR & 32 SB)
Awards
- 1995 Southwest Conference All-Star
- 1996 Seattle Mariners Minor League Player of the Year
- 2000 Winter League Player of the Year
- 2003 National League Gold Glove Winner (Outfield)
Achievements
- Co-led the American League in games played in 2000, appearing in all 162 games
Trivia
- Traded to the Red Sox on July 30, 2005 and was designated for assignment by August 8, 2005. After only 4 games played and 13 plate appearances.
- Cruz was picked to play for Puerto Rico in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. In the tournament, Cruz hit .353 with a .476 OBP in five games, helping Puerto Rico reach the second round.
- Finished second in the 1997 AL Rookie of the Year voting.
- Son of Jose Cruz, Nephew of Hector Cruz, and Nephew of Tommy Cruz.
Transactions
- June 1, 1992: Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 15th round of the 1992 amateur draft, but did not sign.
- June 1, 1995: Drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 1st round (3rd pick) of the 1995 amateur draft.
- July 31, 1997: Traded by the Seattle Mariners to the Toronto Blue Jays for Paul Spoljaric and Mike Timlin.
- December 21, 2002: Granted Free Agency.
- January 28, 2003: Signed as a Free Agent with the San Francisco Giants.
- October 22, 2003: Granted Free Agency.
- December 16, 2003: Signed as a Free Agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
- February 6, 2005: Traded by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays with cash to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Casey Fossum.
- July 30, 2005: Traded by Arizona Diamondbacks to the Boston Red Sox for Kyle Bono and Kenny Perez.
- August 9, 2005: Selected off waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers from the Boston Red Sox.
- November 4, 2005: Signed as a Free Agent with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- August 1, 2006: Designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- December 5, 2006: Signed as a free agent by the San Diego Padres.
External Links
- Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis
