San Diego Padres slugger, Nelson Cruz, has announced his retirement today.

Cruz played 19 seasons in the Majors, six of which saw him make the All-Star Game, began in Milwaukee, but he broke out as a Texas Ranger, where he has his first two All-Stars, though was suspended for 50 Games in 2013 for his participating in the Biogenesis Scandal.  He signed with the Baltimore Orioles in 2014 for a year where he won his first and only Home Run Title, and followed that with four years in Seattle, where he produced two more 40-plus HR years, and won the RBI Title in 2017. 

He later plated with Minnesota for two-and-a-half seasons, again posting a 40 HR year (2019), and would finish his career with brief stops in Tampa Bay, Washington and San Diego.  Cruz belted 464 Home Runs over his career, which places him 37^th all-time.  He also has a lifetime Slugging Percentage of .813, won four Silver Sluggers and two Edgar Martinez Awards.

Cruz is eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2029, though his induction is unlikely due to his PED suspension.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to wish Nelson Cruz the best in his post-playing career.

When recounting the history of raw strength in the Pacific Northwest, the story often highlights the early brilliance of players like Ken Griffey Jr. or Alex Rodriguez. However, one of the most formidable displays of power in Safeco Field's history came from a veteran who arrived in Seattle in his mid-30s. After winning the 2014 American League home run title during a remarkable 40-homer season with the Baltimore Orioles, Nelson Cruz signed a lucrative free-agent deal with the Mariners. Known as "Boomstick," this powerful right-handed hitter quickly silenced critics who questioned whether Seattle's large outfield gaps would limit his distance. Instead, he delivered a four-year showcase of explosive power, earning All-Star selections in three of those four seasons.

His first season under the Pacific Northwest clouds instantly shattered expectations, as he surpassed his Baltimore tally by launching a magnificent, career-high 44 home runs while batting a blistering .302.

Cruz made hitting moonshots into a regular nightly habit, consistently sending balls into the left-field stands. He reinforced this with an impressive 2016 season, hitting 43 home runs and driving in 105 RBIs, only the second time in his career he surpassed 100 RBIs.

By 2017, management shifted the veteran primarily to the designated hitter position to safeguard his health. This strategic change enabled an even greater level of offensive efficiency. During that summer, Cruz hit 39 home runs and led the American League with a remarkable, career-high 119 RBIs, earning his second Edgar Martínez Award.

He kept his elite frontline baseline through his final year with the organization in 2018, hitting 37 home runs and driving in 97 runs, which earned him his last of three All-Star selections as a Mariners player.

Facing an organizational rebuild, the 38-year-old left the Mariners to sign with the Minnesota Twins, extending his decorated career. Over four seasons with the Mariners, he totaled 670 hits, 163 home runs, and 414 RBIs, with a .284 batting average.362 on-base, and 546 slugging percentage.

Nelson Cruz’s journey to becoming a top MLB power hitter was anything but straightforward. Overlooked as a young talent and moving across three teams before establishing himself with Texas, this strong right-handed slugger didn’t have his first full, elite season until he was 28. However, once he realized his considerable potential, the player widely called "Boomstick" transformed into one of the most daunting, clutch middle-of-the-order hitters in the history of the Lone Star franchise.

Cruz built his offensive reputation on sheer raw power, consistently terrorizing American League pitchers with an explosive right-handed swing. This approach turned the expansive gaps of the Ballpark in Arlington into his personal launching pad. He served as a thunderous pillar during the team’s most successful era, hitting at least 20 home runs in five straight seasons for Texas. His outstanding regular-season performance earned him two AL All-Star selections (2009 and 2013), with a high volume of home runs and a commanding .500-plus slugging percentage that forced opposing managers to craft entire game plans around his bat.

However, examining Cruz only through his regular-season stats misses the legendary reputation he built in October. He saved his most spectacular and historic performances for the postseason, becoming the key offensive player in securing two consecutive American League pennants.

His postseason peak was spectacular during the 2011 ALCS against the Detroit Tigers. Cruz delivered an unforgettable performance, earning the ALCS MVP award by hitting a record six home runs and driving in 13 RBIs over six games. This included the first walk-off grand slam in postseason history during Game 2. He used that hot streak to tie the modern MLB record with eight total home runs in a single postseason, cementing his legendary status in Texas playoff history.

After accepting a 50-game league suspension in August 2013 stemming from the Biogenesis investigation, Cruz played the final week of that season, then became a free agent in the winter. The team's front office decided not to offer him a long-term contract, which led him to sign with Baltimore and later play for Seattle and Minnesota. Interestingly, he experienced his most productive home run seasons during his late thirties while playing for these teams.

In an eight-year run with Texas, Cruz compiled 773 hits, 147 doubles, 157 home runs, and 489 RBIs while generating a stellar .268/.327/.495 slash line (115 OPS+).