The 2023 MLB season ended following Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday night, and now an offseason of intrigue begins. Some players will change clubs via trades or free agency, while others like Nelson Cruz will leave the sport completely.
Two of the oldest players in MLB have announced their retirements – St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright and Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera. On Thursday, ex-San Diego Padres designated hitter Nelson Cruz did the same, hanging up his gloves after close to two decades in MLB.
Cruz announced his decision on “The Adam Jones Podcast,’’ hosted by former Baltimore Orioles teammate Adam Jones. After 19 years in the big leagues, Cruz said he wanted to go home to the Dominican Republic, three months after the Padres released him.
Nelson Cruz started his career with the Milwaukee Brewers but had breakout success as a member of the Texas Rangers. He was awarded the title of MVP for the 2011 AL Championship Series and was chosen to two All-Star games while playing in Texas, where he batted 157 of his 464 career home runs.
He had eight seasons where he hit up to 30 home runs, and he once headed the major leagues with 40 dingers back in 2014. He played in two World Series, losing both while with the Rangers.
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