Cruz played his first five seasons in St. Louis, but he never had a 100 Hit year playing for the Cards. A trade to Houston in 1975changed his fortunes and Cruz was their starting Leftfielder from 1976 to 1986. With the Astros, Cruz was a two-time All-Star, and he showed a sweet combination of hitting, power, speed, and defensive skill.
Cruz would have five .300 seasons, and while his 165 career Home Runs is not head-turning, it is more than respectable. He would have seven 20 Stolen Base years, and while he never won a Gold Glove, Cruz had three top-ten finishes in Total Zone Runs, and he was in the top two among National League Leftfielders in that stat in seven different seasons. The MVP voters knew that Cruz was very good, as he was third in balloting in 1980, sixth in 1983, and eighth in 1984.
After one final season in 1988 as a New York Yankee, Cruz retired with 2,251 Hits and 288 Stolen Bases.
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