Books and articles about Hector Cruz

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The younger brother of Jose and Tommy Cruz, who also wore Cardinal uniforms, Hector was signed out of Puerto Rico at age 17 and immediately heralded as the best of the three. In 1975 he was TSN Minor League Player of the Year, leading the American Association with 29 HR and 116 RBI. Converted from outfield to third base, he stuck with St. Louis in 1976 and led NL rookies with 13 HR and 71 RBI, but led NL third basemen with 26 errors. He never held another regular job. After bouncing around the NL, he played in Japan for Yomiuri in 1983. (MC)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » June 28, 1979: The Reds sell Ken Henderson to the Cubs and swap P Pedro Borbon to the Giants for Hector Cruz. » December 13, 1980: The Cubs send Mike Vail to the Reds in exchange for Hector Cruz. » May 4, 1981: In the battle of the Cruz brothers, Astro Jose Cruz launches a 3-run missile in the 1st inning of Chicago's Mike Krukow, while brother Hector Cruz answers with a solo shot off Joaquin Andujar in the 6th inning. The Astros edge the Cubs 5–4. » May 26, 1997: In the Cubs' 2–1 win in Pittsburgh, Chicago's Sammy Sosa and Pittsburgh's Tony Womack both hit inside-the-park homers in the sixth inning. It is the first time two inside-the-park homers are hit in the same National League game since Lou Brock and Hector Cruz of St. Louis did it against San Diego on June 18, 1976. Greg Gagne of the Twins had two for Minnesota on October 4, 1986.