Henry Cruz

Infobox MLB retired
bgcolor1=#083c6b
bgcolor2=#083c6b
textcolor1=white
textcolor2=white
name=Henry Cruz
width=175
caption=
position=Outfielder
bats=Left
throws=Left
debutdate=April 18
debutyear=by|1975
debutteam=Los Angeles Dodgers
finaldate=July 30
finalyear=by|1978
finalteam=Chicago White Sox
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.280
stat2label=Home runs
stat2value=8
stat3label=RBI
stat3value=34
teams=
*Los Angeles Dodgers (1975-1976)
*Chicago White Sox (1977-1978)
highlights=none

Henry (Acosta) Cruz (born February 27, 1952 in Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands) is a former Major League Baseball Outfielder who currently works as the hitting coach for the Minor League Baseball team, the Inland Empire 66ers.

Cruz was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Dodgers on January 1, 1971. He made his major league debut, as a pinch hitter, on April 18, 1975 against the San Francisco Giants. He recorded his first hit on April 20 against the Giants.

Played parts of the 1975 and 1976 seasons with the Dodgers. Was released by the team near the end of the 1977 season despite hitting .353 for the AAA Albuquerque Dukes, possibly because of behavioral problems. ["Twice Around the Bases" book by Kevin Kennedy]

Signed by the Chicago White Sox in September, he played 16 games for the Sox in 77 and another 53 games in 1978. Remained in the Sox minor league system through 1980 when he was picked up off waivers by the Detroit Tigers.

Retired after playing for the Evansville Triplets in 1981.

He was also one of the most consistent hitters for the Arecibo Wolves in the Puerto Rico Winter Baseball League during this period.

Spent 10 seasons as a scout for the Cleveland Indians following his playing days.

In 2007, the Dodgers hired him to be the hitting instructor for Class-A Ogden Raptors. He was moved to the Inland Empire 66ers in 2008.

References

External links

* [http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/C/Henry-Cruz.shtml Baseball Stats]
* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Henry_Cruz Baseball-reference.com page]
* [http://pressbox.mlb.com/pressbox/downloads/y2007/la/player_dev.pdf Ogden Raptors Coaching Bio]