43 year old Nelson Cruz is reportedly signing a one day contract with the Seattle Mariners and retiring with the organization. Throughout his playing career he was elected to seven All-Star games, won four silver sluggers, and was an ALCS MVP.
Nelson Cruz had some of his best seasons with the Seattle Mariners.
Four out of Nelson Cruz’s 19 seasons came with the Mariners. During the 2015-2018 seasons he put up some of his best numbers including two seasons of both 40+ home runs and 100+ RBI. His 163 long balls with Seattle is the most he hit for any organization.
The Seattle Mariners did not make the playoffs with Nelson Cruz on their team.
Seattle ended their 21 year playoff drought in 2022, but came close on a few occasions when Cruz was with the team. They won 86 games in 2016 and 89 in 2018, but did not make the post season. Having come so close Cruz said “he would’ve died for the opportunity to play in the playoffs.”
“For this city. I would’ve died for the opportunity to play in the playoffs. We didn’t have that chance. Many years we were really close and the excitement from the fans and all that, it was incredible.”
Nelson Cruz tells Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times
What other teams did Nelson Cruz play for?
Eight out of Nelson Cruz’s 19 seasons came with the Texas Rangers. This is by far the most time he spent with one organization. Seattle is second with four seasons, Minnesota third with three, and then the Tampa Bay Rays, San Diego Padres, Washington Nationals, Baltimore Orioles, and Milwaukee Brewers are all tied at one.
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