Héctor Cruz – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Puerto Rican baseball player Héctor Cruz wrapped up his major league career on July 15, 1982, exactly 43 years ago today. He took his final at-bat for the Chicago Cubs against the Atlanta Braves.

The outfielder and third baseman from Arroyo, Puerto Rico, spent nine seasons in MLB. He started in 1973 with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Cruz played for four teams during his major league career. He finished with a .225 batting average, 39 home runs, and 200 RBIs across 624 games.

Cruz grew up in one of Puerto Rico’s most notable baseball families. His brothers José and Tommy also reached the major leagues.

He began his pro career in the Cardinals’ minor league system in 1970. Cruz turned into a promising prospect and picked up The Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year Award in 1975.

Standing 5’11” and weighing 170 pounds, Cruz hit and threw right-handed. People called him “Heity” during his playing days.

From rookie struggles to trades that changed his path, Cruz’s story reflects the ups and downs of pro baseball life. He had some standout moments, struggled defensively, and switched from infield to outfield later in his career.

After MLB, Cruz played baseball in Japan. He eventually got inducted into the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007.

Early Life and Baseball Family

Héctor Louis Cruz Dilan was born April 2, 1953, in Arroyo, Puerto Rico. He grew up in one of the island’s top baseball families.

The Cruz family produced three Major League Baseball players. Héctor joined his brothers José and Tommy at the sport’s highest level.

Family Background

The Cruz family turned into a baseball dynasty in Puerto Rico during the 1970s and 1980s. All three brothers—Héctor, José, and Tommy—made it to Major League Baseball.

Héctor’s family knew exactly what it took to play pro ball. Growing up in a baseball-focused household shaped his early skills.

Their commitment to the sport gave the brothers a strong foundation. That support proved crucial as all three eventually signed professional contracts.

Brothers and Notable Relatives

José Cruz stands out as the most famous Cruz brother. He played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball, mostly with the Houston Astros.

José’s success opened doors for his younger brothers. He earned two All-Star selections and joined the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame.

Tommy Cruz is less known. He played briefly in the majors, so his career was much shorter than his brothers’.

The Cruz baseball legacy didn’t stop with the three brothers. José Cruz’s son, José Cruz Jr., played in the majors from 1997 to 2008.

Growing Up in Puerto Rico

Héctor grew up in Arroyo, a small town on Puerto Rico’s southern coast. The island’s strong baseball culture gave young players plenty of chances to develop.

By the 1950s and 1960s, Puerto Rico had already produced several Major League players. This success showed Héctor that a pro career was possible.

When Cruz reached the United States, the language barrier hit him hard. He barely spoke English, which made his transition to pro baseball tougher.

Still, the baseball training he got in Puerto Rico helped. The island’s competitive youth leagues prepared him for the challenges ahead.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Héctor Cruz played nine seasons in Major League Baseball from 1973 to 1982. He suited up for four different National League teams.

His career started with a promising rookie season for the St. Louis Cardinals. After that, he spent years moving between teams before finishing up with the Chicago Cubs.

MLB Debut and Early Years

Cruz made his MLB debut on August 11, 1973, with the Cardinals at age 20. He played just one game that year and got one at-bat against the Cincinnati Reds.

He spent 1974 back in the minors, then returned to the majors in 1975. His breakthrough came in 1976, his first regular season with St. Louis.

1976 Rookie Performance:

• Led National League rookies with 13 home runs
• Drove in 71 RBIs

He also led all third basemen with 26 errors that season.

Cruz’s defensive struggles at third base pushed the Cardinals to move him to the outfield. That position change defined most of his later career. Still, he never really locked down a regular starting spot.

Teams Played For

Cruz’s MLB career took him to four National League teams over nine seasons.

St. Louis Cardinals (1973, 1975-1977)

• Played 23 games in 1975 after his Minor League Player of the Year season
• Spent three full seasons with the Cardinals from 1975-1977

Chicago Cubs (1978)

• Cubs picked him up for his first stint in 1978
• Cubs traded him to the Giants mid-season for pitcher Lynn McGlothen

San Francisco Giants (1978-1979)

• Played mostly as an outfielder
• Had trouble earning regular playing time

Cincinnati Reds (1979-1980)

• Spent two seasons with the Reds
• Never became an everyday player

Chicago Cubs (1981-1982)

• Cubs brought him back for a second stint
• Ended his MLB career with Chicago on July 15, 1982

Final Season and Retirement

Cruz’s last MLB season came in 1982. He played his final game on July 15, 1982, against the Atlanta Braves and got a hit in his only at-bat.

Career Statistics:

• Batting average: .225
• Home runs: 39
• RBIs: 200
• Games played: 624

After leaving MLB, Cruz played one season in Japan with the Yomiuri Giants in 1983. He hit .240 with four home runs in Nippon Professional Baseball.

When his playing days ended, Cruz worked as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service on Chicago’s West Side. In 2007, he was inducted into the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame.

Positions and Playing Style

Héctor Cruz switched defensive positions during his MLB career. He started as a third baseman and later moved to the outfield.

His defensive journey showed both his flexibility and his teams’ changing needs from 1973 to 1982.

Third Base Performance

Cruz began his big league career as a third baseman with the Cardinals. His 1976 rookie season highlighted both his hitting skills and his struggles at third.

That year, Cruz led NL rookies with 13 home runs and 71 RBIs. But his defense was shaky.

Cruz’s 1976 Third Base Stats:

• 26 errors (most among NL third basemen)
• Rookie leader in homers and RBIs
• Full-time starter at third base

His 26 errors topped all NL third basemen that year. The Cardinals’ coaching staff grew concerned about his glove.

The high error count made it clear Cruz was still adjusting to major league play. Third base demands quick reflexes and strong, accurate throws.

Transition to Outfield

After his rough 1976 at third base, Cruz moved to the outfield. The switch was meant to keep his bat in the lineup and take pressure off his defense.

The transition helped Cruz stick around longer in the majors. Outfield play fit his athleticism better than third base.

Key points about his outfield years:

• Main position for the rest of his MLB career
• Less defensive pressure than third base
• Mostly a bench player with irregular playing time

After moving to the outfield, Cruz never nailed down a regular starting job. He became more of a utility man and pinch-hitter.

His outfield defense was serviceable, but nothing special. The new position let him focus more on hitting and less on fielding mistakes.

Career Achievements and Statistics

Héctor Cruz ended up with a career .225 batting average, 39 home runs, and 200 RBIs over 624 MLB games. His best achievements actually came in the minors, especially during his amazing 1975 season with the Tulsa Oilers.

Home Run Records

Cruz hit his most home runs in 1976, with 13 for the St. Louis Cardinals. That year, he finished third in National League Rookie of the Year voting.

His 13 home runs in 1976 marked his single-season high in the majors. Cruz played 151 games as the Cardinals’ regular third baseman, adding 17 doubles, 71 RBIs, and a .228 average.

His power numbers dropped off after that. Cruz never reached double-digit home runs again in the majors. He spent most of his later years as an outfielder and backup.

Minor League Accomplishments

Cruz really shined in the minors, especially in 1975 with the Tulsa Oilers of the American Association. That year, he hit .306 with 29 home runs and 116 RBIs.

He picked up several awards for that season:

• The Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year in 1975
• American Association MVP in 1975
• Texas League Player of the Year in 1973 with the Arkansas Travelers

His huge 1975 Triple-A season got him called back up to the majors for 23 games. The Cardinals liked his minor league numbers so much, they traded away Ken Reitz to give Cruz a shot as their starting third baseman in 1976.

Significant Trades and Transactions

Héctor Cruz’s nine-year MLB career included several team changes that shaped his path. These moves often involved notable pitchers and reflected the roster shuffling of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Major Trades

Cruz’s biggest trade happened while he was with the Cardinals. He moved between four teams during his MLB run from 1973 to 1982.

Leaving St. Louis marked a big shift in his career. The Cardinals traded Cruz as part of their efforts to shake up the roster in the mid-1970s.

The Cubs traded for Cruz twice. His first stint ended with another trade, but Chicago brought him back for a second shot from 1981 to 1982.

He finished his major league career with the Cubs in 1982. After hitting .255 with 39 home runs in his nine MLB seasons, Cruz headed to Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball.

Notable Players Involved

Pedro Borbón was one of the notable players involved in Cruz’s career moves. The veteran pitcher’s name popped up in several transactions, showing how connected MLB trades were at the time.

Lynn McGlothen also played a part in deals involving Cruz. McGlothen, a right-handed pitcher, was part of the web of player swaps that changed Cruz’s path.

These trades usually involved several players, as teams tried to balance their rosters. The moves showed how mid-level players like Cruz often bounced between clubs looking for the right fit.

All that trading really highlighted how MLB teams valued talent back then. Cruz’s ability to play both outfield and third base made him a pretty attractive piece in those deals.

Post-MLB Career and Honors

After Héctor Cruz played his last MLB game on July 15, 1982, he took his professional baseball journey to Japan. Eventually, people started to recognize his contributions to Caribbean baseball.

He later moved into civilian work, but he never really lost touch with the sport.

Final Playing Years Overseas

Cruz joined the Yomiuri Giants for the 1983 season, playing in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league. That year turned out to be his last as a professional player.

The Giants stand out as one of the most prestigious baseball teams in Japan. By playing in Japan, Cruz managed to keep his career going a bit longer after leaving the major leagues.

His time with the Yomiuri Giants wrapped up a professional baseball run that started back in 1970. The 1983 season marked the end of Cruz’s 13-year journey in pro baseball.

After finishing his year in Japan, Cruz retired from professional baseball. He was just 30 when he finally decided to hang up his cleats.

Induction into Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame

In 2007, Cruz got inducted into the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame as part of its 11th class. That honor recognized what he did for baseball in the Caribbean.

The Hall of Fame celebrates players from Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean. Cruz’s induction showed how much he meant to Puerto Rican baseball, especially on the international stage.

His selection came 25 years after he left MLB. It really highlighted his impact as one of three Cruz brothers who made it to the majors.

At the induction ceremony, Cruz stood alongside other big names in Caribbean baseball. That achievement still stands out as one of the biggest honors of his life after playing.

Life After Baseball

After he retired from professional baseball, Cruz took a job with the United States Postal Service as a mail carrier.

They put him on a route on Chicago’s West Side.

Switching careers like that meant leaving the world of pro sports behind entirely.

Cruz went from the baseball field to handing out mail in busy city neighborhoods.

His new job with the postal service gave him steady work after baseball.

He also got to stay in Chicago, which felt fitting since that’s where he wrapped up his MLB career with the Cubs.

Cruz’s life after baseball shows what a lot of former players deal with.

He found a way to adjust to regular life once his time on the field was over.