Resides in Las Matas De Santa Cruz, Dominican Republic...has five children: two daughters and three sons...both his parents were school teachers....Played basketball for the Dominican Republic Junior National Team...started the Boomstick Foundation to help his communities in the Dominican Republic and started same foundation in Minnesota....Enjoys spending time with family and playing dominos...hosted a vitilla (game native to Dominican Republic - essentially stickball played with large bottlecaps) clinic with RBI All-Stars in 2019....Winner of the 2019 Carl R. Pohlad Award for Community Service...raised funds through the Big League Impact ALL WIN campaign in 2019, impacting the Education Center in Monte Crisiti, DR....Named Star Tribune’s 2019 Sportsperson of the Year...given the 2020 Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award at the ESPYs and the Marvin Miller Award as part of the 2020 Players Choice Awards...selected by peers as the player they “most respect based on his leadership on the field and in the community.”...In 2020 during the COVID-19 Pandemic, provided financial support to 1,200 families in his hometown of Las Matas de Santa Cruz, Dominican Republic, helping feed 700 families....After a fire destroyed the home of a childhood friend, Cruz provided the town with a fire engine, 80 firefighter uniforms and an ambulance for transportation for people to the nearest hospital, which is about an hour away....His Boomstick23 Foundation began construction of an education and technical center last year and he will stock the center with computers to assist athletes in their education....Cruz also organizes dentists and optometrists to go the town's clinic for checkups, medicine and eyewear, and 500 patients received dental services.
2022
In 124 games for the Washington Nationals as the club’s designated hitter, he batted .234 (105-for-448) with a team-leading 64 RBI...logged 16 doubles, 10 home runs, 50 runs scored and 49 walks....Recorded the 2,000th hit of his Major League career against the Padres on Aug. 30 with a single in the eighth inning off Adrian Morejon....With the Nationals, raised his slash line from .143/.233/.209 on May 3 to .234/.313/.337 to end the season....After May 20, he slashed .256/.332/.361 with 15 doubles, six home runs, 44 RBI, 33 walks, four hit by pitch, four stolen bases, and 33 runs scored in 89 games....Went 15-for-56 (.268) with 23 RBI with two outs & RISP....On May 11 vs. NYM hit a three-run homer, passing Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski for 39th on the all-time home run list....Ended 2022 as one of two active players, along with Justin Upton, with multi-HR games for five different teams…has achieved this with the Rangers, Orioles, Mariners, Twins and Rays.
2021
Opened the 2021 season with Minnesota before being acquired by the Tampa Bay Rays on July 22...In 140 games between the two clubs, he hit .265 with 21 doubles, one triple, 32 home runs, 86 RBI, 51 walks, three stolen bases and 79 runs scored...In his Rays debut on July 23 he launched a home run...Helped get Tampa Bay to the Postseason, making his seventh trip to the playoffs...Had hits in three of the four ALDS games vs Boston, including a home run in Game 1...He posted a .497 slugging percentage and an .832 OPS...Hit at least 30 home runs for the eighth time in his career, becoming the oldest player in Major League history with a 30-homer season, passing Boston’s David Ortiz (38; 40 years old) in 2016 and Detroit’s Darrell Evans (34; 40 years old) in 1987.
2020
Was Twins Opening Day designated hitter July 24 at Chicago-AL, the 14th Opening Day of his career and second for Minnesota...Hit first home run of season July 25 at Chicago-AL, the 402nd of his career...at 40 years, 20 days old, Cruz became the oldest player to homer in an MLB game since Ichiro Suzuki on August 22, 2017 for the Marlins at age 43...became the fifth different player age 40-or-older to homer in a Twins uniform and the first since Torii Hunter on September 24, 2015 at age 40 and 68 days...the others were Dave Winfield, Paul Molitor and Jim Thome...joined Winfield as the only two hitters 40-or-older in Twins/Senators history to homer within the first two games of the season; Winfield homered on Opening Day 1993-94...Went 4-for-5 with two doubles, two home runs and seven RBI in third game July 26 at Chicago-AL...marked his 35th career multi-homer game and sixth career game with seven-plus RBI...Named AL Player of the Week July 28, the seventh of his career...became 23rd different AL player to win the award at least seven times since the award was introduced in 1974..earned the award hitting .538 (7-for-13) with seven runs scored, two doubles, three home runs, 10 RBI, a walk and a 1.385 slugging percentage over three games played...at 40 years, 25 days old, became the fourth-oldest player in major league history to amass seven RBI in a single game, joining Hall of Famers Stan Musial and Reggie Jackson, as well as Jason Giambi...in addition, became the second-oldest player with four extra-base hits in a game since 1901, joining Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson...became the first player in franchise history to record at least four runs, four extra-base hits and seven RBI in a single game...was just the 30th such game in baseball history, and the first since the Cardinals Matt Carpenter on July 20, 2018...Hit safely in season-long seven-straight games July 31-August 6, hitting .407 (11-for-27) with no extra-base hits and just two walks in that span...in fact, the stretch was part of a streak in which he reached safely via hit, walk or hit-by-pitch in 22 consecutive starts July 31-August 24, posting a .452 on-base percentage in that span...hit safely in seven-straight again September 1-8...Reached 15 RBI August 4 vs. Pittsburgh in his 11th game, marking the fewest games for a 40+ year old to reach 15 RBI, passing Ty Cobb (1927), Dave Winfield (1993), Cobb (1928), Willie McCovey (1978) and Carl Yastrzemski (1982)...Second two-homer game of season and 36th of career August 17 vs. Kansas City, both solo shots in a Twins 4-1 victory...Homered at least once in eight different games in a 14-game span August 15-29...Homered in both games of a doubleheader three times on the season: August 15 vs. Kansas City, August 29 at Detroit and again September 8 at St. Louis...became one of three players age 40+ to homer in both games of a doubleheader (Carlton Fisk and Stan Musial – each did it once)...first player since 1964 to homer in both games of a doubleheader three times in a season (Twins’ Harmon Killebrew and Cleveland’s John Romano); Cruz and Killebrew in ’64 are the only two players in Twins/Senators history to do so...Was hitting .311 (38-for-122) with 13 home runs, 29 RBI and a 1.068 OPS in 35 games through August 31...through that date, ranked first in the AL in OPS, tied for first in home runs and tied for third in RBI...Reached safely in season-long 11-straight games August 29-September 8, posting a .524 on-base percentage in that span (15 hits, 6 walks)...Suffered third career ejection September 15 at Chicago-AL by umpire Will Little after arguing balls and strikes from the dugout...Missed four games in late September with right knee soreness...Hit .322 (39-for-95) with 13 home runs, 22 RBI, a .397 on-base percentage, a .686 slugging percentage and a 1.083 OPS in 35 games against AL Central opponents...Ranked third in the AL with a .397 on-base pct., fourth with a .992 OPS, fifth with a .595 slugging pct., tied for fifth with a team-high 16 home runs and seventh with a .303 batting avg...was also seventh with a 1.089 OPS with RISP...Appeared in both games of the AL Wild Card Series vs. Houston September 29-30, going 2-for-6 with two doubles, two RBI and two walks, driving in all the Twins runs during the series...Given the 2020 Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award at the ESPY's in June and was the Twins' nominee for Roberto Clemente Award...Finished sixth in AL MVP voting with 128 total voting points (1 third place vote, 6 fifth place votes, 6 6th place votes, 7 7th place votes, 8 eighth place votes, and 1 ninth place vote)...Earned Louisville Slugger® Silver Slugger Award for American League's top designated hitter, the fourth of career (2015, '17 & '19)...Given Marvin Miller Award in late October as part of the 2020 Players Choice Awards...selected by peers as the player they "most respect based on his leadership on the field and in the community."
2019
Was Twins Opening Day designated hitter March 28 vs. Cleveland; 13th career Opening Day roster...Hit Twins first home run of season, March 31 vs. Cleveland, a two-run shot off Carlos Carrasco; second straight season going deep off Carrasco in his season debut...Placed on 10-day Injured List with a left wrist strain May 17...played two games on rehab assignment with Single-A Ft. Myers and was reinstated June 3...Recorded seven multi-homer games on the season: April 20 at Baltimore, April 26 vs. Baltimore, June 29 at Chicago-AL, July 25 (3) at Chicago-AL, August 3 (3) vs. Kansas City, August 6 vs. Atlanta and September 19 vs. Kansas City...the seven multi-home run games were the most in a single season by a Twin, passing Harmon Killebrew who had six in 1964...Homered in four straight games June 6-9, one game short of his career-long homer streak and one short of tying the club record...Hit .303 (27-for-89) with five doubles, nine home runs, 24 RBI, 13 walks, a .398 OBP, .663 SLG and 1.061 OPS in 22 June games...ranked fifth in the AL in slugging and seventh in OPS...Was one of the three AL designated hitters on the All-Star Game "Starters Election" ballot, along with Hunter Pence (electee) and J.D. Martinez...Hit 20th home run July 22 vs. New York-AL off CC Sabathia, becoming the only player to reach 20-plus homers in each season since 2009... became 34th player to hit 20-plus home runs in 11 consecutive seasons...Hit three home runs July 25 at Chicago-AL, becoming ninth different Twin (11th different instance) to homer three times in a game, joining Harmon Killebrew (1963), Bob Allison (1963), Tony Oliva (1973), Justin Morneau (2007), Brian Dozier (2016), Max Kepler (2016 & 2019), Eddie Rosario (2017 & 2018) and Byron Buxton (2017)...Recorded another three-homer game nine days later August 3 vs. Kansas City...became 23rd player in baseball history with multiple three-homer games in a season (first in Twins history); the first in MLB history with multiple after turning 39...joined Doug DeCinces (August 3 & 8, 1982) and Johnny Mize (July 13 & 20, 1938) as the only players to homer three times within 10 days...the third home run was his 30th, setting a club record for home runs by a designated hitter, passing Chili Davis' 29 in 1991...Named AL Player of the Week July 29, posting a slash line of .414/.485/1.172 with 10 runs, 12 hits, one double, seven home runs, 13 RBI and three walks in seven games...Placed on 10-day Injured List August 9 with left wrist strain, an injury suffered during missed swing August 8 vs. Cleveland; reinstated August 19...Hit .397 (29-for-73) with six doubles, eight home runs, 27 RBI and a 1.253 OPS in 19 August games...ranked second in baseball in OPS during the month and fourth in batting average...Went 4-for-5 with three doubles and one home run August 20 vs. Chicago-AL...became sixth Twin (7th instance) to have four extra-base hits in a game, first since Michael Cuddyer on September 21, 2005 at Oakland...Hit 35th home run September 3 at Boston, marking his sixth straight season with 35-plus...became ninth player in baseball history to hit 35-plus in at least six consecutive seasons, joining Alex Rodriguez (11, 1998-2008), Sammy Sosa (10, 1995-2004), Jimmie Foxx (9, 1930-40), Rafael Palmeiro (9, 1995-2003), Babe Ruth (7, 1926-32), Ralph Kiner (7, 1947-53), Adam Dunn (7, 2004-10) and Willie Mays (6, 1961-66)...Joimed Max Kepler (36 HR) to form the second pair of teammates each with 35+ HR in franchise history, joining Bob Allison (35 HR) and Harmon Killebrew (45 HR) in 1963...Had seventh multi-homer game of season September 19 vs. Kansas City, while collecting five RBI...marked his fifth different five-RBI game of the season, a Twins record (passed Jason Kubel, who had four in 2009)...Hit 39th home run September 20 vs. Kansas City...reached the 100 RBI mark in same game, joining Eddie Rosario as 10th set of teammates in club history to have 100-plus RBI, first since Jason Kubel (103) and Justin Morneau (100) in 2009...Hit 40th home run of season and 400th of career September 22 vs. Kansas City, off Gabe Speier...became the third Twin to ever reach 40 home runs, joining Brian Dozier (2016) and Harmon Killebrew (1961, '62, '63, '64, '67, '69 & '70)...became third major league player to hit 40 homers at age 39 or older, joining Hank Aaron (1973) and Barry Bonds (2003 & '04)...became 26th player in baseball history with four-plus seasons of 40 home runs-or-more...became 57th player in baseball history to reach 400...became the ninth Dominican-born player to reach 400 homers, joining Albert Pujols, Sammy Sosa, Manny Ramírez, David Ortiz, Adrian Beltré, Vladimir Guerrero, Edwin Encarnación and Alfonso Soriano...Finished the season with 41 home runs and 401 for his career, good for 57th in Major League Baseball history...began season with 360 career homers and during season, passed 28 players on baseball's all-time list, including Hall of Famers Joe DiMaggio, Ralph Kiner, Carlton Fisk, Tony Pérez, Orlando Cepeda, Jim Rice, Harold Baines, Johnny Bench and Al Kaline...Hit 25 home runs after the All-Star break, the fourth-most post-ASG homers in Twins history, behind Killebrew (30 in 1962 and 28 in '63) and Dozier (28 in 2016)...Finished with a 1.031 OPS, tying the highest in Twins history with Joe Mauer's 2009 campaign, and was tied for third in Twins/Senators history, behind Goose Goslin's 1.057 in 1928 and Ed Delahanty's 1.040 in 1902...His 41 home runs and 108 RBI all came as a designated hitter, setting Twins single-season records in both categories (passing Chili Davis' 29 homers at the position in 1991 and Paul Molitor's 100 RBI as a DH in 1996)...Slashed .354/.435/.734 in 62 games against the American League Central (84-for-237) with 25 home runs, 74 RBI and a 1.169 OPS...Finished the year ranked second in slugging (.639) and OPS (1.031) in the American League, tied for second in 3-hit games (18), third in batting WAR (4.0), T-third in home runs (41), fourth in OBP (.392), T-fourth in average (.311) and seventh in RBI (108)...also ranked first in baseball in average exit velocity (93.7 MPH), hard hit percentage (51.5%) and barrels-per-plate appearance (12.5%) (min. 300 batted balls)...Played in three games in ALDS vs. New York-AL, going 2-for-10 (.200) with one home run and four RBI...hit home run in second at-bat of Game 1 off James Paxton, 17th of his Postseason career...Was a finalist for the Hank Aaron Award; recipient was Milwaukee's Christian Yelich...named winner of Calvin R. Griffith Award for Most Valuable Twin, the Bob Allison Award for team leadership and the Carl R. Pohlad Community Service Award...Earned Louisville Slugger® Silver Slugger Award for American League's top designated hitter, the third of career (2015 and '17); second Twins DH to win the award, joining Paul Molitor (1996)...along with catcher Mitch Garver, they became third set of Twins teammates to earn the award in same season, joining Mauer and Justin Morneau in both 2006 and '08...Finished ninth in AL MVP voting, accumulating 62 voting points...tallied four fifth place votes, three sixth place votes, three seventh place votes, two eighth place votes, two ninth place votes and one 10th place vote...Given Edgar Martinez Award for most outstanding Designated Hitter, the second of his career (2017) and third Twin to win the award (Chili Davis - 1991 & Paul Molitor - 1996)...also named First-Team Designated Hitter on inaugural All-MLB Team.
2018
Spent fourth season with Seattle...Homered in each of the Mariners' first two games of the season (March 29 off Corey Kluber and March 31 off Carlos Carrasco)...fourth time in his career that Cruz has homered in each of his club's first two games...became the first player in major league history to homer in each of his first two games of a season on four occasions...accomplished this feat in 2010 (TEX), 2011 (TEX), 2014 (BAL) and 2018 (SEA)...Placed on 10-day disabled list with a sprained right ankle April 3 (retroactive to April 1); reinstated April 14...Recorded his 1,500th career hit, an RBI-single, on June 16 vs. Boston...Hit 20th home run of the season on June 22 vs. Boston, becoming the only player with at least 20 home runs in each of the last 10 seasons, dating back to 2009...Named AL Player of the Week for June 18-24 (5th career honor), hitting .500 (12-for-24) with eight runs, two doubles, one triple, three home runs, eight RBI, two walks, a .538 on-base percentage and a 1.042 slugging percentage (1.580 OPS) in six games...Hit .326 (31-for-95) with 20 runs, three doubles, one triple, 11 home runs, 24 RBI, 14 walks, a .418 on-base percentage and a .726 slugging percentage (1.144 OPS) in 26 June games...among American League leaders for the month of June, ranked first in slugging percentage, first in OPS, tied for first in home runs, third in RBI, tied for sixth in runs, seventh in on-base percentage and 14th in average...Earned his sixth career All-Star selection, his fifth in the last six seasons (also: 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2017)...drew a walk in his only plate appearance at the All-Star Game in Washington, D.C... Recorded 1,000th career RBI with a solo home run on September 12 vs. San Diego...became the 11th active player to record at least 1,000 career RBI and the sixth player to record his 1,000th RBI in a Mariners uniform...Hit his 35th home run of the 2018 season on September 12 vs. San Diego, becoming only player in baseball to reach the 35-home run plateau in each of the last five seasons since 2014 and the fifth player in Major League history with at least five seasons of 35-or-more home runs at age-33 or older, joining Barry Bonds (6), Rafael Palmeiro (6), Henry Aaron (5) and Babe Ruth (5)...Hit 21 home runs at Safeco Field, tied with Richie Sexson in 2005 for most home runs at Safeco Field in a single season...his 21 home runs at home were fifth-most in the AL/ninth-most in the majors...Hit by a pitch 14 times, the fourth-most in the AL...Had five home runs that were estimated at 440 feet or further (Statcast), tied for third-most such home runs in baseball (also: Nolan Arenado-COL and Giancarlo Stanton-NYY)...trailed only Trevor Story-COL (9) and Joey Gallo-TEX (7)...Finished eighth in the AL in home runs (37), ninth in RBI (97), 11th in slugging percentage (.509) and 14th in OPS (.850).
2017
The Totals- Hit .288 (160x556) with91 runs, 28 doubles, 39 home runs,119 RBI, 12 HBP, 70 walks, a .375on-base percentage, a .549 sluggingmark and a .924 OPS in 155 gameswith the Mariners...Leader- Led the American Leaguein RBI with 119…became the first Mariner to lead the AL in RBI sinceBret Boone in 2001 (141 RBI)...Aging Gracefully- In his age-36season, tied with Kansas City's HalMcRae, who led the AL with 133 RBI in 1982, as the 2nd-oldest player to lead the AL outright in RBI…only Edgar Martinez, who was 37 when he collected a league-leading 145 RBI for the Mariners in 2000, has been older when leading the Junior Circuit outright in RBI...Honors- Named the Mariners Player of the Year by the Seattle chapter of the BaseballWriters Association of America...Designated to Homer- Hit 38 home runs as a DH, most in club history (previous: EdgarMartinez, 37 HR, 2000)...RBI Machine- Collected at least 100 RBI for the 2nd consecutive season (also: 105 RBI,2016)…is the 10th Mariner with multiple seasons of 100+ RBI...Milestone Home Run- Belted his 300th career home run on July 7 vs. Oakland…became the 7th player to hit his 300th career home run with the Mariners... Shooting Star- Made his 5th career All-Star Game appearance…went 0-for-2 in Miami ...Keeping it 100- Recorded his 100th home run as a Mariner on June 4 vs. Tampa Bay inhis 362nd game with Seattle…his 362 games to 100 home runs with a single team areT5th-fewest in Major League history…trails only Babe Ruth-NYY (250 G, 8/18/1921), Alex Rodriguez-TEX (295 G, 8/30/02), Roger Maris-NYY (297 G, 10/1/1961) and Cecil Fielder-DET (335 G, 4/20/92) while tied with Carlos Peña-TB (362 G, 6/27/09)...Batting Clean-Up- Led the Major Leagues with 108 RBI while batting clean-up...Road Runner- Led the American League with 59 RBI on the road...Run Producer- Tallied 50 hits with runners in scoring position, 2nd-most in the American League, trailing only teammate Robinson Canó (51)...Go Ahead- Ranked T2nd in the AL (also: Albert Pujols-LAA) with 29 go-ahead RBI...Walk it Off- His 3 walk-off hits equaled the single-season club record, shared by 8 other Mariners: Bruce Bochte (1980), Tom Paciorek (1981), Todd Cruz (1982), Al Cowens(1984), Jim Presley (1986), Russ Davis (1997), Jose Lopez (2009) and Ichiro Suzuki (2009)...Slow Start- In his first 18 games of the season (4/3-21), hit .246 (16x65) with 6 runs, 4doubles, 2 home runs and 8 RBI... Heating Up- From April 22 - May 25, hit .330 (32x97) with 14 runs, 4 doubles, 10 homeruns, 32 RBI and a 1.079 OPS (.398 OBP, .680 SLG) in 28 games...Streaking- Hit safely in 15 consecutive games, April 19 - May 6, batting .439 (25x57) with 11 runs, 5 doubles, 5 home runs, 20 RBI and a 1.297 OPS (.507 OBP, .789 SLG)…marked the 3rd longest streak of his career.2nd Half Surge- Hit safely in 26-of-his-first-33 games after the All-Star Break, batting.302 (38x126) with 25 runs, 14 home runs, 30 RBI and a 1.078 OPS (.388 OBP, .690 SLG)...Award Season- Selected as a nominee for the Heart and Hustle Award as well as theHank Aaron Award…was a finalist for the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award.
2016
Hit .287 (169x589) with 96 runs, 27 doubles, 1 triple, 43 home runs, 105 RBI, a .360 OBP & a .555 slugging percentage in 155 games...Collected 105 RBI, trailing only his career-high of 108 RBI set in 2014 with Baltimore...Hit 33 home runs as a designated hitter, 2nd-most in club history (Edgar Martinez, 37 in 2000)...Led Majors with 19 home runs vs. lefties…the 19 homers vs. lefties are 3rd-most in single season in club history, trailing Ken Griffey Jr. (21 in 1998 & 21 in 1996)...Led Majors in road home runs (26), 2nd in slugging (.616), 4th in road RBI (62)...Ranked 4th in Majors in at-bats/home run of 13.70 (589 AB, 43 HR)...Ranked T4th in Majors (also: Miguel Cabrera-DET) with 13 home runs in the 7th inning or later…since 2014, leads MLB with 42 home runs in 7th or later...Ranked T4th in MLB (also: Manny Machado) with 15 2-strike home runs, trailing Todd Frazier (20), Chris Carter (16) & Mark Trumbo (16)...Recorded a career-high 52 multi-hit games (previous: 49, 2015)...Hit 10 home runs in 19 games against Los Angeles - AL this season, the most homers vs. any single opponent in a single season in club history...Has hit 87 home runs in his first 2 seasons with Seattle (2015: 44 HR & 2016: 43 HR), a club record for most home runs in a player's first 2 seasons ahead of Richie Sexson (73, 2005: 39 HR & 2006: 34 HR)...One of 6 players with 100+ home runs and 300+ RBI over last 3 years (2014- 16)… Nolan Arenado, Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnacion, David Ortiz and Mike Trout...Hit 87 home runs in first two seasons with Seattle (44 HR in 2015 & 43 HR in 2016) behind only Ken Griffey Jr. in 1996-97 (105 total HR-49 in '96 & 56 in '97), 1997-98 (112 total - 56 in '97 & 56 in '98) and 1998-99 (104 total - 56 in '98 & 48 in '99)...Recorded his 250th career home run on May 20 at Cincinnati...Reached All-Star Break with 23 home runs, 2nd-most in career in first half (28 HR in 2014 w/BAL)…1 of 7 Mariners (done 12 times) to collect 23 or more home runs before break, joining Ken Griffey Jr. (5x), Alex Rodriguez (2x), Bret Boone, Raul Ibanez, Jay Buhner and Edgar Martinez…third player in club history with 20+ home runs before Break in age-35 or older season (also: E. Martinez, 23 HR, 2000- age-37 season & R. Ibanez, 24 HR, 2013- age-41 season)...Had 7 RBI on July 23 at Toronto, the 3rd time in career with 7+ RBI vs. Toronto (also: 8, July 22, 2011 & May 25, 2012 w/Texas)…joins Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner as only two players in MLB history to drive in 7+ runs vs. single opponent at least three times…Kiner did so vs. Brooklyn three times (8, June 25, 1950 & 7, May 9, 1950 & July 18, 1951)...Reached base safely via a hit or walk in 25 consecutive road games, June 23-Aug. 27, hitting .304 (28x92) with 18 runs, 1 double, 10 home runs, 18 RBI and 11 walks…from June 23 through end of season, recorded a hit or walk in 37 of 39 road games...493-foot homer off Tyler Duffey Sept. 24 at Minnesota…according to Statcast, was 2nd-longest home run of 2016, trailing Miami's Giancarlo Stanton (504 off Chad Bettis on Aug. 6 at Colorado).
2015
Totals - Hit .302 (178x590) with 90 runs, 22 doubles, 1 triple, 44 home runs, 93 RBI, a .369 onbase percentage & .566 slugging percentage in 152 games. ... AL Leader - Amongst AL leaders: 2nd in HR (44), 3rd in SLG (.566), 4th in OPS (.936), T11th in multi-hit games (49), T8th in average (.302), T12th in RBI (93), T10th in XBH (67). ... Clutch - T5th in A.L. with 27 goahead RBI and T7th with 14 gamewinning RBI…hit .291 (43x148) with runners in scoring position. ... Team Leader - Led the team in runs (90), home runs (44), RBI (93), walks (59), average (.302), on-base percentage (.369) & slugging percentage (.566). ... Career Bests - Set career highs in runs (90), hits (178), home runs (44) and walks (59). ... 40 HR - 69th player in MLB history to log multiple 40-HR seasons in a career. ... Mariners with 40+ HR - 4th player in Mariners history to record a 40-HR season, first since Alex Rodriguez (41) in 2000: Ken Griffey Jr. (6), Jay Buhner (3), Alex Rodriguez (3)…2nd player to record a 40-HR season during the Safeco Field era (opened July 1999). ... Back-to-Back - First player since Miguel Cabrera (2012-2013) to record consecutive 40-homer seasons...53rd player with consecutive 40-HR seasons. ... Home Slugger - Hit 17 home runs at Safeco Field, T4th in ballpark history (R. Sexson, 21, 2005). ... All-Star - Voted as the starting designated hitter for the American League (0x2)…4th AllStar game selection (2009, 2013-2015) and second start (also: 2014). ... Injury - Missed 6 games Sept. 4-9 with strained right quad…hit .247 (20x81) upon return. ... The Streak - Reached base safely in career-high 37 straight games July 18-Aug. 27 (previous best: 25 G in 2010 with Texas)…on-base streak was 3rd-longest in A.L. in 2015 and 6th-longest in Majors…during streak hit .355 (54x152) with 32 runs, 9 doubles, 18 home runs and 1.200 OPS…streak is 12th-longest in club history, and longest since 43- game streak by Ichiro in 2009 (record is 47 by Alvin Davis in 1984). ... Extra Base Streak - Recorded an extra-base hit in 9 consecutive games July 31-Aug. 9, the 2nd-longest streak in club history (Ken Griffey Jr., 10, July 19-29, 1993). ... Right Pop - Tied Jay Buhner (1996) for club record with 44 home runs by right-hander. ... Crushed Lefties - Ranked 3rd in A.L. & 4th in Majors hitting .357 (60x168) with 9 doubles, 1 triple, 14 home runs, 27 RBI & a .683 slugging percentage against left-handed pitchers… his .673 slugging percentage and 14 home runs led A.L. (tied in HR with Todd Frazier). ... Road Power - MLB leading 27 home runs on road, T3rd-most in club history behind Ken Griffey Jr. (29 in 1997), Alex Rodriguez (28 in 2000) & tied with Jay Buhner (1997). ... OF vs. DH - As outfielder hit .337 (105x312) with 55 runs, 11 doubles, 31 home runs, 59 RBI and a 1.072 OPS in 80 games; as the designated hitter, hit .263 (73x278) with 35 runs, 11 doubles, 1 triple, 13 home runs, 34 RBI and a .783 OPS in 72 games. ... Pre-Break Power - 8th Mariner with 20+ home runs prior to All-Star break (18x). ... Walk Off - 8th career walk-off RBI with 1B off Junichi Tazawa in the 9th 5/15 vs. BOS (last: 4/19/15 against TEX Neftali Feliz, 1B). ... Worthy April - April AL Player of Month… first career POM Award & first Mariners position player since Ichiro (Aug. 2004)… hit .322 (28x87) w/10 HR, 3 2B, 3B, 22 RBI. ... Player of the Week - Named A.L. Player of the Week for April 13-19…hit .500 (12x24), 7 R, 6 HR, 10 RBI, 1.806 OPS. ... #200 - Hit 200th career home run April 13 at Los Angeles (NL), a first-inning 2-run homer. ... 20 HR - Hit at least 20 home runs in 7 consecutive seasons…one of three players with active streak of 7 consecutive 20-HR seasons. ... 5 Straight...Twice - Homered in 5 consecutive games July 31-Aug. 4, his second home run streak of 5 games in 2015…5th player in MLB history to homer in at least 5 consecutive games twice in the same season: Harmon Killebrew (1970 Twins), Frank Thomas (1994 White Sox), Barry Bonds (2001 Giants), Chase Utley (2008 Phillies)…also homered in 5 consecutive games April 11-15 (6 HR during streak)…tied for 2nd-longest home run streak in club history: Griffey Jr., 8; Cruz, Buhner (2x), Zisk, A. Rodriguez all 5 games. ... April Showers - 10 HR in April were 3rd-most in club history (Ken Griffey Jr. - 13 in '97, 11 in '98)...10 HR were most in any April in his career (had 7 in '11 and '10) and 2nd-most in a single month (13 in May 2014).
2014
Led baseball with 40 home runs in first season with Baltimore...named Orioles MVP by members of Baltimore media...made AL All-Star Team for third time, earning first fan-elected start as DH with over 3-million votes...finished seventh in AL MVP voting (102.0 points)...named AL Player of the Week May 26-June 1 & Sept. 1-7...finished third in AL in RBI (108), extra-base hits (74) and total bases (322), sixth in slugging (.525)...set then single-season career-highs in plate appearances (678), runs (87), hits (166), home runs (40), RBI (108), walks (55), extra-base hits (74), and total bases (322) and tied career-high with 159 games played.
2013
Named an AL All-Star for the second time in his career (also 2009), hitting 27 homeruns in 109 games…ranked 7th in the AL with a 5.43 AB/RBI ratio (min. 400 AB)…missed 50 games, August 5-Sept. 29, when he was placed on the restricted list (50-gamesuspension from MLB - Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program)…reinstated forthe Wild Card tiebreaker, game #163, Sept. 30 vs. TB, going 0-for-4 as the DH.
2012
Played his 1st full season in the major leagues without a stint on the disabled list or in the minor leagues...ranked among the A.L. leaders in doubles (4th, 45), extra base hits (9th, 69),
and games (T10th, 159)...topped the Rangers in games and doubles, ranked 3rd in extra base hits, RBI (90), and homers (24, tied), and ranked 4th in runs (86), total bases (269), and slugging (.460)...set career highs in games, at bats (585), runs, hits (152), doubles, total bases, extra-base hits, and RBI...matched the 5th-highest single-season total for doubles in club history, most since Mark Teixeira (45) in 2006...grounded into just 7 double plays, an average of one every 83.6 at bats, the 9th best ratio in the league...BATTING: Went 4-for-29 (.138) over season's 1st 8 games, then hit .414 (12-29) in next 6 games from April 14-21(G1) to rise to .276...batted .151 (8-53) with 2 extra-base hits - both doubles - from April 21(G2)-May 6 to drop to .216...had a .358 (29-81) average in a 20-game stretch from May 7-28, rising to .276, highest figure all year after the end of April...beginning June 3, his season average never got higher than .270 or lower than .253 the rest of year...batted .253 (96-379) in final 107 games to finish at .260...his 14 games of 3+ hits tied for 12th in the A.L...
had season-high 4 hits twice: May 13 vs. LAA and May 25 vs. Toronto, grand slams in both games...longest hit streak was 8 games, August 5-13...went 5-for-13 (.385) with the bases loaded with 20 RBI, 3rd in A.L...is batting .325 (113-348) over last 3 seasons vs. LHP...career average at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington is .299 (366-1226), 8th highest in club history (min. 1200 AB)...MISCELLANEOUS: Started 146 games in RF, 2 in LF, and 7 at DH... played every inning of Rangers' 1st 36 games in the field and started 59 of 1st 60...played in each of Rangers' final 100 games beginning June 13...had a .987 fielding pct. (4 E/301 TC) in the outfield...tied for 8th in the A.L. with team high 9 outfield assists...threw out Mike Trout at 3rd base attempting to advance on a fly out in day game Sept. 30 vs. LAA...had a career-high 140 strikeouts, 2nd-most among Rangers..was ejected by Bill Welke for arguing balls and strikes, Aug. 31 at CLE...had been hitless in 19 career pinch at bats before single on August
16 at NYY...has a .417 (25-60) career average in 15 games at Fenway Park, the 2nd-highest since 1921 for any player with at least 50 AB behind Will Clark at .434 (43-99)...WINTER BALL: Played for Gigantes del Cibao in the Dominican Winter League, batting .286 (12-42) with one homer and 4 RBI in 11 games.
2011
Cruz was hampered by leg injuries for a second straight year and appeared in just 124 games due to 2 stints on the disabled list...despite that, ranked among the American League leaders in slugging (11th, .509) and home runs (T13th, 29)...averaged one home run every 16.38 at bats, 7th-best in the league...ranked among team leaders in slugging (3rd), home runs (4th), RBI (4th,87), and doubles (5th, 28)...established career bests for at-bats
(475), RBI, and total bases (tied-242)...started 98 games in right,16 in left, and 8 at DH.
2010
Despite playing in just 108 games due to injuries, was 2nd on the club in steals (17), placed 3rd in doubles (31) and homers (22), ranked 4th in RBI (78), and was 5th in hits (127) ... set career highs for hits, doubles, triples (3), and RBI ... among all A.L. players with at least 400 plate appearances, had the 5th highest slugging percentage (.576), and ranked 6th in batting average (.318) and OPS (.950) ... started 91 games in right, 10 in left, and 2 at DH...
his .371 (73-197) home avg. was 104 points higher than road avg. (.267, 54-202) ... hit .336 (42-125) with runners in scoring position, which would have ranked 8th in the A.L. if had enough plate appearances to qualify ... batted .359 (46-128) with 14 doubles, 8 HR,
and 33 RBI in 32 games against A.L. East opponents.
2009
In his first full major league season, Cruz was selected to the American League All-Star Team and produced just the 5th 30-homer/20-stolen base year in club history...led the Rangers with 33 homers, a .524 slugging percentage, and 6 intentional walks and
was 2nd with a .332 on-base percentage, 49 walks (tied), and an .856 OPS...also ranked 3rd on the team in RBI (76), runs (75), and stolen bases (20), and placed 4th in batting average (.260), extra base hits (55), and total bases (252)...ranked T8th in the A.L. in homers and had the 13th-best slugging percentage...started 117 games in right, 2 in left, and 4 as the designated hitter.
2008
Batted .330 (38-115) with 7 home runs, 9 doubles, and 26 RBI in 31 games for the Rangers...Texas purchased his contract from Oklahoma on Aug. 25 when Jason Ellison was designated for assignment, and Cruz started each of the team's final 31 games
in right field...compiled best strikeout-to-walk ratio of any season in his big league career, 17 walks to 28 K's...starts in batting order:7th (23), 5th (4), 6th (3), and 8th (1)...hit .419 (13-31) against lefties and .298 (25-84) vs. right-handers, although 6 of his 7 homers
came against right-handers...hit .351 (20-57) with 4 HR, 12 RBI, .431 OBP, and .632 slugging pct. over 15 games at Rangers Ballpark...with his Aug. 25 debut, became the 53rd player used by Texas in 2008, breaking the previous team record of 52...beginning
Aug. 30, would hit safely in 22 of his final 26 games at .361 (35-97), going hitless in consecutive games just once (Sept. 20-21)...snapped 0-for-16 stretch with 4th-inning single on Aug. 30 at LA of Anaheim...compiled a trio of 6-game hit streaks...had 5 three-hit games, tied with Josh Hamilton for most among Rangers during his tenure...posted 3rd career multi-homer game on Sept. 6 vs. Boston in Rangers' 15-8 victory...his 2 homers and 5 RBI in that game were both season highs and matched his career bests (3rd time each)...beginning with that game, hit 6 of his 7 home runs over the Rangers' final 20 contests...went 3-for-5 with 2 doubles and 4 RBI on Sept. 14 at Oakland...finished season with a 6-game hit streak at .385 (10-26), posting a double or homer in each of the club's final 5 games.
2007
Had 2 stints of consistent playing time in the big leagues and was a member of the Opening Day roster for first time in his career...hit walkoff solo HR off Scot Shields in 9th inning on Mother's Day, May 13 vs. LA of Anaheim, first big league walk-off homer...had also hit a walk-off HR in spring training finale on March 31 vs. Milwaukee at Rangers Ballpark off Chris Spurling...was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma on June 5...recalled July 27 and in first game
on July 28 at Kansas City, went 2-for-3 with 2 home runs, a walk, and career-high matching 5 RBI...in his second stint with the club beginning July 27, hit .276 (45-163) with 6 home runs and 22 RBI in 53 games...at Triple-A, finished 2nd on RedHawks with 15 home runs despite playing in only 44 games...had 2 multi-homer games with Oklahoma and homered in each of his last 3 games, including a grand slam in last game before being recalled.
2006
He finished the season with a career-high 5-game hitting streak, going 6-for-19. He batted .264 (14-53) over his last 13 games with 4 extra base hits (2 2B, 2 HR) and 9 RBI. ... He ranked 4th among American League rookies with 15 RBI in September and also tied for second among AL rookies with 4 HRs. He had three hits including two home runs and 5 RBI 9/4 at OAK. It was his first career multi-homer game ... 5 RBI were a career-high and 2nd-most by a rookie in club history. He has a grand slam in his only career at-bat with the bases loaded, on Aug. 16 against the Angels. He hit first career home run 7/31 at Minnesota. He was acquired from Milwaukee in a 6-player traded on 7/28. He spent the entire 2006 season at Nashville (AAA) before the trade, batting .302 (112-371) with 22 doubles, 20 home runs, 73 RBI and 17 stolen bases. He was among Pacific Coast League leaders in home runs and RBI before the trade and started for PCL at 2006 AAA All-Star game.
2005
Earned the Brewers Robin Yount Performance Award for Minor League player of the year with a combined 27 home runs, 81 RBI and a .289 batting average...began the season with Double A Huntsville where he played 68 games hitting .306 (76-248) with 35 extra-base hits and 54 RBI...promoted to Triple A Nashville on June 29 and recorded a .269 batting average in 60 games for the Sounds with 11 roundtrippers and 27 runs batted in...appeared at all three outfield positions with Nashville, playing primarily in right field...recorded a nine-game hitting streak July 2-July 15 (#2) for Nashville...hit .433 (13-30) with a pair of home runs and four RBI during the stretch...named the PCL Championship Series MVP with four home runs and 11 runs batted in during the series...plated the Sounds game-winning runs with a three-run homer with two outs in the top of the 13th inning on Sept. 16 leading Nashville to a 5-2 win over Tacoma...it was Nashville's first league title (three-game sweep) since winning the Southern League Championship in 1982...recalled Sept. 17 from Triple A Nashville, a day
after the Sounds defeated the Tacoma Rainers (Seattle) in the Pacific Coast League
Championship Series...made his Major League debut Sept. 17 at Houston when he entered the game in right field in the eighth inning replacing Geoff Jenkins...flied out to centerfield in his first Major League at-bat...recorded his first Major League hit with a double in the eighth inning off Jason Standridge September 28 vs Cincinnati...named the eighth-best player in the Brewers organization by Baseball America.
2004
Split the season between Class A Modesto, Double A Midland and Triple A Sacramento...combined at all three stops to hit .326 with 26 home runs and 100 RBI in 137 games...established career highs in games, at-bats (536),runs scored (109), hits (175), doubles (42), home runs, RBI, walks (51) and strikeouts (149)...his batting average,
slugging percentage (.562) and on-base percentage (.390) were his best in his four seasons in the United States...tied for fourth among all minor leaguers in runs scored, ranked fifth in total bases (301), and tied for sixth in hits...finished second in the A's farm system in batting and RBI and third in home runs...batted .362 (55-152) against lefties and .313 (120-384) against righties...hit .367 (55-150) with runners in scoring position and was
7-15 (.467) with two grand slams and 16 RBI with the bases loaded...batted .361 (95-263) at home compared to.293 (80-273) on the road but hit 17 of his 26 home runs on the road...had 54 multi-hit games, including 16 with three-or-more hits...appeared in 79 games in right field, 55 in left field and 10 in center field...batted .354 in the fourth spot (57-161)...began the year at Modesto where he batted .345 with 11 home runs and 52 RBI in 66 games...added 24 walks for a .407 on-base percentage...finished second on the club with eight stolen
bases...hit .383 (36-94) in May and .402 (35-87) in June...hit a grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning April 26 vs. Stockton...had his first of two four-hit games May 20 vs. Rancho Cucamonga going 4-4 with five RBI...batted .490 (25-51) during a 12-game hitting streak June 10 - 21...hit a career-high three home runs, drove in a career-high six runs and had his second four-hit game of the season June 15 at Visalia...was promoted to
Midland June 23...hit .331 (42-127) over a 37-game stretch from July 3 - August 10 including a 14-game hitting streak July 15 - 30 where he hit .365 (19 for 52) with five home runs and 13 RB...concluded his season with Midland with a 21-game hitting streak beginning on August 11 batting .392 (38-97)...concluded the year batting.313 with 14 home runs and 46 RBI in 67 games at Midland and finished second in home runs... advanced to
Sacramento September 3...went 1-4 in his first game beginning a 22-game hitting streak. ...went 3-10 in 21 innings August 14 at San Antonio to start a stretch of nine straight multi-hit games through August 23 where he batted .455 (20-44)...homered in three consecutive games August 27 - 29.
2003
Spent the season at Class A Kane County...belted 20 home runs ranking fourth in the A's farm system...also ranked fourth in the Midwest League in home runs and was tied for fourth in strikeouts (128)...led Kane County in home runs, RBI (85), and strikeouts...batted .278 (30-108) against lefties and .227 (82-362) against right handers...was 4-13 (.308) with a grand slam and 20 RBI with the bases loaded...appeared in 106 games in right field and 17 in centerfield... batted .273 (47-172) with 11 of his 20 home runs in the first 44 games...hit three home runs April 14 at Beloit and August 24 at Peoria to become the first National Association player with two three-homer games in one season since Russell Branyan of Buffalo in the International League in 1999...drove in eight runs including a fourth inning grand slam April 14, and six RBI and four runs scored on August 24...was named Midwest League Player of the Week August 18 - 24 when he hit .563 (9-16) with three home runs,
eight RBI and five runs scored in four games...went 4-13 (.308) with a home run and three RBI in the playoffs.
2002
Spent the entire season with Class A Vancouver of the short season Northwest League...hit .276 with four home runs and 25 RBI in 63 games...led his club in doubles (14) and stolen bases (12) and tied for second in hits (59) and strikeouts (58)...hit .301 with all four of his home runs on the road compared to .252 at home...appeared in 40 games in right field, 17 in left field and eight in center field...put together his best batting average in July when hitting .377...had a season-high four hits September 2 at Salem-Kaiser.
2001
Spent his first season in the United States and his first season in the A's organization following an August 30, 2000 trade in which he was acquired from the New York Mets organization for Jorge Velandia...played for the Rookie A's in the Arizona League...hit .250 with three home runs and 16 RBI in 23 games... appeared in 18 games in right field and four in center field...belted a grand slam August 23 vs. the Giants.
2000
Spent the season with the Mets Eastern Division affiliate in the Dominican Summer League...led the league with 15 home runs and 80 RBI in 69 games... finished fifth in the league with a career high .351 batting average...established professional bests with a .610 slugging percentage, a .434 on-base percentage, and 4 triples.
1999
Played for both of the Mets affiliates in the Dominican Summer League ...combined to hit .244 with one home run and 32 RBI in 71 games... stole a career-high 20 bases.
1998
Made his professional debut with the Mets affiliate in the Dominican Summer League...hit .271 with one home run and 13 RBI in 30 games.
