32. Julio Cruz

When the Seattle Mariners began their first season in April 1977, they were a diverse team still searching for key players to build a future. Julio Cruz came into the picture. Initially signed from the California Angels' farm system, the smooth-fielding switch-hitter was picked by Seattle in the 1976 expansion draft. He gained immediate experience in the majors as a 22-year-old rookie that summer, and the next year, he became the franchise's first regular starting second baseman.

Known affectionately as "The Cruzer" by a growing Pacific Northwest fan base, his value wasn't based on raw power or extra-base hits. Cruz epitomized the dead-ball style speedster of the late 1970s; during his six-and-a-half seasons in Seattle, he was a light hitter with only 17 home runs and a modest .243/.327/307 slash line. Nonetheless, he had exceptional base-running instincts and an innate talent for causing chaos once he reached first base.

Cruz used his lightning-fast speed to solidify himself as the anchor of manager Darrell Johnson’s lineup, constantly challenging opposing catchers with aggressive baserunning. His performance peaked in the 1978 Season, when he raced across the Kingdome’s artificial turf to steal a career-high 59 bases. This breakout established him as an elite baserunner, and he consistently surpassed 40 stolen bases each year for the following four seasons, regularly creating scoring opportunities for a team in need of offensive stability.

Beyond his peak in dynamic base-running, Cruz offered consistent, highly efficient infield play. His soft hands and excellent lateral range contributed to his strong relationship with teammates around second base, making him a beloved clubhouse leader during the team's early years. The end of his notable tenure in Seattle came in June 1983, when the front office traded him to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for infielder Tony Bernazard. Cruz quickly found success in Chicago, becoming a key player that helped the White Sox achieve a 99-win season and win the American League West division.

He finished his Seattle career with 701 hits and 290 stolen bases in 722 games. He held the franchise record for stolen bases for 25 years until Ichiro Suzuki surpassed him in 2008.