Julio Cruz (baseball)

Infobox MLB retired
bgcolor1=#005c5c
bgcolor2=#0c2c56
textcolor1=white
textcolor2=white
name=Julio Cruz
position=Second Baseman
bats=Both
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1954|12|2
debutdate=July 4
debutyear=1977
debutteam=Seattle Mariners
finaldate=August 31
finalyear=1986
finalteam=Chicago White Sox
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.237
stat2label=Hits
stat2value=916
stat3label=SBs
stat3value=343
teams=
*Seattle Mariners (by|1977-by|1983)
*Chicago White Sox (by|1983-by|1986)
highlights=
*Finished 24th in voting for the 1983 AL MVP Award

Julio Luis Cruz (born December 2, 1954 in Brooklyn, New York, United States), is a former professional baseball player who played second base in the Major Leagues from 1977-1986.

Although a lifetime .237 hitter with little power, Cruz had excellent speed. 6 years in a row with the Seattle Mariners, from 1978 through 1983, he stole over 40 bases each season and was the team's all-time leader in that statistic. His record of 290 was surpassed by Ichiro Suzuki, whose two stolen bases in a game against the Padres on May 18, 2008, gave him a total of 292. Cruz was traded to the Chicago White Sox on June 15, 1983 for fellow second baseman Tony Bernazard. After the trade, the White Sox caught fire, winning 99 games and the divisional pennant. "Juice" Cruz was a key spark plug on that team. However, after 1983, his performance tailed off.

Nickname

Julio was known as Julio "won't you let me take you on a sea" Cruz, by ESPN's Chris Berman

Julio was known as (and still answers to) "the Cruzer" (cruiser) due to his special talent in stealing bases.

ee also

* Chicago White Sox all-time roster

External links

* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/c/cruzju01.shtml Baseball Reference]