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

Todd Cruz put together a professional baseball career that lasted six seasons in Major League Baseball. He played for six different teams from 1978 to 1984. Growing up in Highland Park, Michigan, he worked his way up as a shortstop in the minors before finally making it as a reliable infielder in the majors.

Cruz hit his peak when he played every postseason game at third base for the Baltimore Orioles’ 1983 World Series championship team.

People knew Cruz for his strong arm and defensive skills. Early in his career, he fought through personal struggles and fielding issues to become a steady contributor. His journey took him from the Philadelphia Phillies to the Kansas City Royals, California Angels, Chicago White Sox, and Seattle Mariners. He finally found his biggest success in Baltimore.

Cruz didn’t post flashy numbers, finishing with a .220 career batting average. Still, he made a name for himself as a dependable defender who could hit for some power now and then.

Todd Cruz’s story gives us a real look at what pro baseball was like in the late 1970s and early 1980s. His career highlights the grit you need to make it at the top, and his later years remind us that athletes have lives and struggles off the field, too.

Early Life and Background

Todd Ruben Cruz was born on November 23, 1955, in Highland Park, Michigan. His parents came from Mexican and Hungarian backgrounds.

He grew up in Detroit’s Mexicantown neighborhood. His childhood was anything but easy, marked by family instability and money problems.

Birth and Family Roots

Todd Ruben Cruz came into the world on November 23, 1955, in Highland Park, Michigan. His father, Robert Cruz, had Mexican roots and once played briefly in the Detroit Tigers’ farm system in the early 1950s.

In 1951, Robert married Marie Gruffner from Windsor, Ontario, who had Hungarian ancestry. They welcomed their daughter Sharon in 1952 and Todd three years later.

The Cruz family faced tough times from the start. Both parents struggled with drinking problems, which deeply affected Todd’s upbringing.

When Todd turned six, his parents split up. That separation made life pretty unstable for him.

Growing Up in Highland Park

Todd spent his early years in southwest Detroit’s Mexicantown, not far from Tiger Stadium. The neighborhood introduced him to baseball culture, but things at home were rough.

After his parents separated, Todd bounced between living with his mom and dad. Family friend Ignacio “Uncle Zig” Gonzalez once said the family “seemed to move every nine or 10 months.”

Even with all the moving, Todd still found ways to help out at home. His high school homeroom teacher discovered Todd was shining shoes at the Michigan Central Depot train station at night to support his mother.

Early Baseball Interest

Todd’s love for baseball grew through different youth programs in Detroit. He played for Police League and Boys Club of America teams, plus a squad sponsored by Kowalski Sausage.

He also played for the Romanowski and Honeybees teams in the Detroit Amateur Baseball Federation. Hitting for the cycle while playing for the Honeybees was one of his proudest early moments.

At Western High School, Todd stood out as a multi-sport athlete. He played football and basketball along with baseball. He won a league batting title and helped lead the Cowboys to a championship.

Coaches noticed his talent, and he landed a spot on UPI’s All-State Baseball team after graduating in June 1973.

Major League Baseball Career Highlights

Todd Cruz made a name for himself as a defensively skilled infielder during his six seasons in MLB from 1978 to 1984. He played for six teams and found his greatest success with the 1983 World Series champion Baltimore Orioles.

His best individual season came in 1982, when he started 136 games at shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and set a franchise record with 16 home runs at that position.

MLB Debut with Philadelphia Phillies

Cruz debuted in MLB on September 4, 1978, with the Philadelphia Phillies at age 22. He entered as a defensive replacement for All-Star shortstop Larry Bowa in the last inning of a 10-2 win over St. Louis.

He showed off his defensive skills right away. He fielded a grounder from Dane Iorg and threw to Bud Harrelson at second for the game’s final out.

The Phillies were chasing their third straight division title that year. But Larry Bowa’s drive to play every inning meant Cruz barely saw the field. “Larry didn’t want to come out of any game for any inning at any time,” Cruz remembered years later.

Cruz played in just one more game that season as a pinch-runner. He finally got his first start in the regular-season finale against Pittsburgh, going 2-for-4 with a two-run single after getting his first MLB hit off Odell Jones.

Notable Performances in AL and American League Teams

Cruz had his most memorable game on May 27, 1979, with Kansas City. He hit his first MLB home run, an eighth-inning shot off Jerry Koosman in Minnesota that won the game 2-1.

His 1982 season with Seattle really stood out. He started 136 games at shortstop, including Opening Day, and turned more double plays than any AL shortstop that year.

He set a Mariners shortstop record with 16 home runs—a mark that stood until Alex Rodriguez smashed 36 in 1996. On April 25, 1982, Cruz capped his only career 4-for-4 game with a walk-off homer against the Twins’ Terry Felton.

The Sporting News picked Cruz as having the strongest arm among AL infielders in their 1981 spring training poll. His defense especially shined during double plays with Seattle second baseman Julio Cruz.

Key Seasons and Team Transitions

Cruz suited up for six MLB teams, often as a defensive backup at shortstop or third base. After Philadelphia traded him to Kansas City in April 1979, he split shortstop duties with Freddie Patek.

The California Angels picked up Cruz in a winter trade but didn’t use him much in 1980. He played in only 18 of the team’s first 53 games, hit .275, but committed eight errors across three infield spots.

Things got rough for Cruz in 1981 with Chicago. He hurt his back just before Opening Day and dealt with personal issues that led to legal trouble while playing for Edmonton in the minors.

Seattle traded for Cruz in December 1981, and that’s where he had his best year. His defense kept the Mariners in the hunt above .500 into August 1982. Manager Rene Lachemann even said, “He’s saved us 50 hits already with his defense.”

World Series Victory with Baltimore Orioles

Cruz joined the Baltimore Orioles in 1983 after Seattle sent him over mid-season. The Orioles switched him from shortstop to third base, and he really found his groove there.

He started every postseason game at third base for Baltimore’s 1983 World Series championship team. That was the high point of his MLB career and his only championship ring.

Baltimore’s move to put Cruz at third worked out for both him and the team. His strong arm, already known as the best among AL infielders, fit perfectly at third base.

Cruz’s defensive reliability became a huge asset during Baltimore’s championship run. His steady play at third helped anchor the infield through the 1983 postseason.

After the World Series win, Cruz played one more season and then retired in 1984.

Positions and On-Field Roles

Todd Cruz played both shortstop and third base during his six years in MLB. He started out as a shortstop, making Opening Day starts at that spot for Seattle, before moving to third base with Baltimore.

Shortstop Achievements

Cruz built a reputation as a defensive standout at shortstop with the Mariners. He made two Opening Day starts there and played 136 games at shortstop in 1982.

His defense played a big role in Seattle’s improvement that year. The Mariners stayed above .500 into August and finished fourth for the first time in team history.

He turned more double plays than any other AL shortstop in 1982. He and Julio Cruz made a slick middle infield combo, pulling off some impressive plays.

Career Shortstop Highlights:

• Opening Day starts for Seattle Mariners
• Led AL shortstops in double plays (1982)
• Set Mariners shortstop home run record with 16 (1982)
• Voted strongest arm among AL infielders by The Sporting News (1981)

Those 16 home runs in 1982 set a Mariners record for shortstops until Alex Rodriguez broke it in 1996.

Third Base Contributions

The Orioles moved Cruz from shortstop to third base in 1983. That change was a turning point for both him and the team.

Cruz started every postseason game at third base for the 1983 World Series champs. His steady defense at the hot corner helped anchor the Orioles’ infield during that title run.

Switching to third let Cruz use his strong arm for those longer throws, without needing the same range as shortstop. People already saw him as having the best arm among AL infielders, and it really fit at third base.

Third Base Performance:

• Started all 1983 postseason games at 3B
• Part of World Series championship team
• Completed career shift from shortstop

Cruz’s ability to handle both positions made him a valuable utility infielder for all six teams he played with.

Life After Baseball

After retiring in 1984, Todd Cruz stepped away from baseball and focused on his family and private life. He mostly stayed out of the public eye until his sudden death in 2008.

Retirement in 1984

Cruz retired from Major League Baseball in 1984 after finishing his final season with the Baltimore Orioles. He wrapped up his career after six seasons, playing for six different teams.

His biggest achievement was winning a World Series ring with the Orioles in 1983. He played in five games during that postseason run.

Cruz retired at 28, which is pretty young for a pro athlete. He finished with a .203 career batting average in 388 major league games.

After leaving baseball, Cruz didn’t stick around the sport like a lot of former players do. He didn’t go into coaching or broadcasting. He just chose a different life.

Personal and Family Life

Cruz married his high school girlfriend, Isabel Cantú González, during his playing days. They had two sons, Thaddeus and Dario.

His marriage faced some tough times while he was in the majors, including a divorce around 1981. The constant moving and pressures of pro baseball put a strain on his family life.

He grew up in Detroit’s Mexicantown, and his father Robert had played in the Tigers’ farm system for a bit. That mix of Mexican and Hungarian heritage shaped his early experiences.

After retiring, Cruz kept a low profile for over twenty years. He avoided the spotlight and rarely did interviews, unlike many former big leaguers.

On September 2, 2008, Cruz died suddenly while swimming. He was 52. News of his passing spread quickly among baseball circles and former teammates.

Legacy and Final Years

Todd Cruz’s life after baseball ended suddenly in 2008 when he died while swimming in Bullhead City, Arizona. His death closed the chapter on a life filled with both professional highlights and personal struggles.

Passing in Bullhead City

Todd Cruz died on September 2, 2008, while swimming in Bullhead City, Arizona. He was just 52.

He passed away during what seemed like a routine swim. Cruz had been living in the Arizona community along the Colorado River.

The Mohave County Medical Examiner’s Office performed an autopsy to figure out the exact cause of death. At first, the results were still pending.

His death came more than twenty years after his last major league game. Cruz had kept a low profile in retirement before that tragic day.

Burial and Memorial in Cemetery

After he died, Cruz’s family laid him to rest in a cemetery. His memorial there pays tribute to his baseball career in a pretty direct way.

The grave marker points out his time as a Major League Baseball player. It mentions that he competed at the highest level, which is no small feat.

The memorial highlights his six-season stretch from 1978 to 1984 with several teams. It also specifically calls out his time with the 1983 World Champion Baltimore Orioles.

On Find a Grave, his page notes that he played in five games during that World Series run. That stands out as one of the biggest moments in his career.

The cemetery memorial gives people a place to remember his time in Major League Baseball. Fans and old teammates can stop by, reflect, and pay their respects.

Impact on Teammates and Fans

Cruz’s defensive skills really stuck with his teammates and managers. Throughout his career, he made an impression that people remembered.

Seattle Mariners manager Rene Lachemann backed Cruz after his legal troubles. Lachemann and the team showed support, even when things got rough.

Teammates found ways to lighten the mood with humor and camaraderie. Sometimes, after post-game interviews, they’d offer Cruz their watches—kind of poking fun at his past but also showing they had his back.

Lachemann once gathered up watches from all the players and handed them to Cruz in a box. That moment made it clear the team wanted to move forward together.

The Mariners organization placed a lot of value on Cruz’s defense. Lachemann even said Cruz had saved the team “50 hits already with his defense” during the 1982 season.

That kind of praise really shows how much his glove mattered to the team’s success.

Career Statistics and Recognition

Todd Cruz put up modest numbers during his six years in the majors. He batted .220, hit 34 home runs, and drove in 154 runs over 544 games.

He spent most of his time in the American League, bouncing around to different teams. He never really picked up any major awards or big recognition.

Batting and Fielding Numbers

Cruz’s offensive stats tell the story of a utility infielder who just couldn’t quite find his rhythm at the plate. His career batting average sat at .220, with an on-base percentage of .251 and a slugging percentage of .333.

Career Batting Statistics:

• Games: 544
• Hits: 336
• Home Runs: 34
• RBI: 154
• Strikeouts: 317

In 1982 with Seattle, Cruz had his best offensive season. He played in 136 games, hit 16 homers, and drove in 57 runs.

Even then, his batting average was just .230, so the struggles at the plate continued.

Cruz mostly played shortstop (SS) and third base (3B) throughout his AL career. Early on, he spent more time at shortstop, but later he shifted to third base.

People considered his defensive skills solid for a utility guy. Still, his glove couldn’t quite make up for his issues with the bat.

Honors and Awards

Cruz didn’t pick up any major individual awards during his MLB career. He never made an All-Star team, didn’t win a Gold Glove, and nobody ever gave him MVP votes in any season.

His teams missed out on the playoffs during his time from 1978 to 1984. The closest he got to postseason play came with Baltimore in 1983 and 1984, but the Orioles didn’t advance far enough to give Cruz any real playoff experience.

Cruz struggled offensively throughout his six seasons in the American League, and that probably explains why he didn’t get much recognition. His .584 career OPS sat well below the league average for middle infielders back then.

After his MLB career ended following spring training in 1985, Cruz stuck around in the minor leagues for a few more years. Eventually, he retired from professional baseball.