Houston Sports - Jose Cruz

Jose Cruz

Born: August 8, 1947

Sport: Baseball (2-time All-Star, 2-time Silver Slugger)

If you're a Houston Astros fan, you've probably gotten used to the recent run of success for the team but also sometimes get frustrated at the show starts that seem to plague them more often than not.  Stumbling out of the gate has become something of an annual occurrence, and 2026 has not been a departure from that trend.  In spite of that, however, there continue to be bright spots in the organization that show promise.  The Astros just finished getting swept by the St. Louis Cardinals, falling to a division-worst 8-15 record.  I thought it might be fun to look back at one of the team's favorite figures who may have gotten his start with those Cardinals but was soon brought to town by the Astros and became influential in their first shot at postseason games, and who ultimately was present for every playoff moment Houston had while part of the National League.  What's more, because the number 25 of Jose Cruz was retired, his name hangs above the field to this day and will witness every future moment of success the Astros are fortunate enough to enjoy.  So for my 50th entry in this series of Houston sports figures, let's look at the story of "Cheo", Houston's humble, talented star. 

The 8th Wonder of the World was Jose Cruz' home with the Astros in the late 1970s

Jose Cruz Dilan was born in the town of Arroyo, Puerto Rico, as the oldest of three boys.  He was very athletic through his childhood and played just about every sport available to him during high school, including baseball, basketball, track, and softball.  When Jose graduated from Arroyo High School in 1966, a scout named Chase Riddle signed him to play in the St. Louis Cardinals organization.  Cruz boarded a plane for Florida and started his minor league journey in St. Petersburg for the class A affiliate.  After learning, improving, and putting in the work he began moving up the ranks with stops in Modesto and Little Rock, and on September 19, 1971 he earned a late-season call up to the major league team.  Cruz got a single on his first day and although only got 6 games under his belt by season's end he managed to rack up a promising 6 hits in 22 plate appearances.  With a taste of the highest level, Cruz started the following season in AAA Tulsa where he was managed by Hall of Fame pitcher Warren Spahn.  Success came early and often for the young outfielder that year, and with a .327 average through 67 games Cruz was called up to the big club to stay.

The four full seasons that Jose Cruz spent in St. Louis were not memorable for the quality of his play, although the time he spent in 1973 with both of his younger brothers in the same outfield was an interesting historic moment.  Jose, Cirilo, and Hector Cruz played together during a spring training game, mimicking the three Alou brothers who became the first and only brothers to cover all three outfield positions in a regular season game one decade earlier.  The younger two did both make their major league debuts that year but did not all take the field together again.  By 1974 the Cardinals opted not to keep Jose, and after the season concluded they sent him to the Astros organization for cash.  After having been primarily a center fielder, Cruz began his time in Houston as the opening day right fielder in 1975.  Despite the Astrodome being known as a pitcher's ballpark, Cruz saw an uptick in production and was a big part of the improvement in a Houston offense that had formerly been very weak.  By his third season in 1977 Cruz was the best batter on a team that had names that would resonate with fans for years - Puhl, Cedeño, Morgan, Howe, Cabell.  The franchise leadership valued versatility and team-first play, and Cruz led the way in both facets as he played numerous positions and would frequently sacrifice opportunities to bolster personal stats in favor of advancing runners.  His batting coach noted that Cruz became such a clutch hitter because he would constantly attempt to hit the ball to the opposite field rather than pulling the ball in hoops of a home run.  By 1980, despite the devastating loss of star pitcher J.R. Richard to a stroke, everything came together for the squad to make their first postseason series.  Despite losing one of the most epic five-game series of all time to the Phillies (with all but the first game decided in extra innings), it marked the high point of Astros success and Cruz was rewarded for his contributions with his first career All-Star selection.  His third place finish in MVP voting that year was further recognition of his skill. 

The Astros continued to depend on Jose Cruz and Houston fans became increasingly fond of their tireless star.  In his native Puerto Rico, only the great Roberto Clemente was able to outshine Cruz.  He helped lead his team to a play-in series during the strike-shortened 1981 season, which they ultimately lost to Los Angeles.  Cruz was both durable and dependable through the following two seasons, with 1983 yielding his greatest offensive output and resulting in a .318 average and a league-leading 189 hits.  His first career Silver Slugger Award soon followed at the age of 35, and then he backed it up a year later with a second.  Houston's manager, Bob Lillis commented that he was always in shape and played throughout the year, which helped him perform better than players many years younger.  In 1985 Cruz earned his second All-Star appearance, but time started to creep up on him.  The 1986 season witnessed a decline in his overall production but he was still valuable for a team that one again fought it's way into the postseason.  The 1987 campaign was his last in Houston, and many were sad to see him finish his career elsewhere when the Astros declined to offer a contract to the batter who sat either first or second in franchise history for virtually every offensive category.  Cruz signed with the Yankees and played part of the 1988 season before being released in July and ultimately retiring.  The Astros showed their love for Cruz by retiring his number in 1992 and hiring him as their first base coach in 1997.  With former teammate Larry Dierker taking over as manager, Cruz was on the field for playoff runs in 1997, 1998, 1999, ans 2001, followed by Phil Garner's team's in 2004 and 2005, the franchise's first pennant and World Series appearance.  Baseball has been a family affair for the Cruzes, and Jose has been fortunate enough to not only play alongside his brothers but to also watch his son's follow in his footsteps.  Jose Jr. and Enrique were both drafted, with the former play 12 major league seasons and the latter playing in the minors for eight years before leaving to run baseball camps.  Jose Sr. was able to coach his son on Puerto Rico's national team for the 2006 World Baseball Classic, and today a third generation of Cruz ballplayers seeks their spot at the spotlight, as Trei Cruz (son of Jose Jr.) plays for the AAA Toledo Mud Hens in the Tigers organization.   Following the 2009 season Cruz left his position as first base coach but remains affiliated with the Astros organization in a community outreach position.  Among the honors he's received are induction into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame (2002), Astros Hall of Fame (2019 - inaugural class), and Texas Sports Hall of Fame (2023).

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