In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Houston Astros had put together a good team, but they did not see much national attention, as they had never won anything of note before.  Those who were paying attention to Houston couldn’t take their eyes off their Puerto Rican Outfielder, Jose Cruz.

Cruz played his first five seasons in St. Louis, but he never had a 100 Hit season with the Cards.  A trade to Houston in 1975 changed his fortunes, and Cruz was their starting Left Fielder 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 are not head-turning, they are 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.

Cy Williams entered Notre Dame, having only played in a handful of baseball games.  He left them as an accomplished player whom the Chicago Cubs signed after he finished school. 

Williams joined the Cubs right away (1912), and a few years later, he was a regular in the Outfield.  Williams won the Home Run Title in 1916 (12), but he was a defensive liability and was viewed as expendable.  He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1918, and it turned out to be a lopsided transaction in the Phillies' favor.  

The Baker Bowl, where the Phillies played, fit the strength of Williams, and as the ball started flying out of the park in the 1920s, he was one of those who perfected the art of the long ball.  Williams led the NL in Home Runs in 1920 (15), 1923 (41), and 1927 (30), and he was also the leader in Slugging in 1926 (.568).  Williams would also have six .300 seasons for Philadelphia. 

At the time of his retirement in 1930, Williams was the all-time Home Run leader in the National League (251).  

Frank Viola was a star Pitcher known for his stint with the Minnesota Twins, where his work there made him a legend in the state.

From 1895 to 1899, Harry Davis was either a budding journeyman or a future star.  He played for four different teams in the National League and had a 28 Triple year in 1897 while batting .305.  Davis was in the minors for all of 1900, and Connie Mack, the owner/manager of the Philadelphia Athletics, saw him as a building block for his brand new American League franchise, and he was one of their first signees.