Seven-time All-Star Nelson Cruz, known for his 464 career home runs, has officially declared his retirement from Major League Baseball after playing for 19 seasons. The announcement was made during his appearance on “The Adam Jones Podcast.” The 43-year-old athlete stated that he will be participating in the Dominican Professional Baseball League this winter, using it as his farewell tour. When questioned about the finality of his decision, Cruz confirmed that this is indeed the end of his baseball journey.
Cruz’s recent tenure with the San Diego Padres came to an end on July 10 when he was released just six months after signing a one-year, $1 million contract. Throughout the 2022 season, primarily as a designated hitter, he made appearances in 49 games, finishing with a batting average of .245, accompanied by 5 home runs and 23 RBIs. Over his expansive career, which encompassed eight different teams, Cruz has garnered a batting average of .274 and achieved 1,325 RBIs. He boasts an impressive collection of accolades, including four Silver Slugger Awards and the title of American League Championship Series MVP in 2011 as a member of the Texas Rangers.
In 2005, Cruz initiated his MLB journey with the Milwaukee Brewers before spending the subsequent eight seasons with the Texas Rangers. He has also showcased his skills for the Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners, Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, Washington Nationals, and San Diego Padres. However, his career was affected by a 50-game suspension in 2013 due to his involvement with Biogenesis of America, a clinic in Florida accused of providing performance-enhancing drugs.
Nelson Cruz’s retirement signifies the conclusion of an extraordinary career, where he solidified his reputation as an intimidating power-hitter and collected a multitude of prestigious awards.