Whereas many MLB prospects and promising players make the majors at a young age – 22, 21 or even 20 in some cases – Nelson Cruz had to learn and preach the power of patience.
He made his MLB debut during his age-25 season, in 2005, and had his first shot at regular playing time in his age-29 season, in 2009.
He was the definition of a late-bloomer, but boy did he “bloom”.
On Thursday, Cruz announced his retirement from MLB, aged 43.
After a marvelous career in which he hit 464 homers and played in two World Series, Cruz is calling it quits.
If he hit 464 homers with his first full season at age 29, we can’t even imagine how many he would have had with a more traditional career path.
He could have cleared 550.
But even if he didn’t reach that number, his MLB tenure was unbelievably good.
“Nelson Cruz announced on the @AdamJonesPod that he is retiring from baseball. What a career! 7x All-Star, 2011 ALCS MVP, 4x Silver Slugger, 2021 Roberto Clemente Award, 464 career home runs,” MLB on FOX tweeted.
Nelson Cruz announced on the @AdamJonesPod that he is retiring from baseball. What a career!
7x All-Star
2011 ALCS MVP
4x Silver Slugger
2021 Roberto Clemente Award
464 career home runs pic.twitter.com/06xcbgJuZ8— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) November 2, 2023
Seven All-Star Games for a designated hitter indicate that he must have been very, very good.
And he was.
He is retiring with a career .856 OPS, and at peak he routinely finished well over .900.
Cruz became one of the most feared power hitters of the 2010s and never stopped working and believing.
He was the MVP of the 2011 AL Championship Series, led the league in home runs in 2014, and took home four Silver Slugger awards.
What a career Cruz had.
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