Nelson Cruz says he is retiring at age 43 after hitting 464 home runs in 19 major league seasons.
Former Twins slugger Nelson Cruz announces his retirement
Nelson Cruz, who hit 76 of his 464 career homers in three seasons with Minnesota, is hanging up the cleats after 19 years in the major leagues.
November 3, 2023 at 1:45AM
![Minnesota Twins designated hitter Nelson Cruz made contact with the ball for a solo homer during the third inning as the Twins took on the Chicago White Sox at Target Field, Wednesday, May 19, 2021 in Minneapolis, MN. ] ELIZABETH FLORES • liz.flores@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/44O4ZDTMCCGVAJ32OEWGQI5CEI.jpg?&w=712)
The seven-time All-Star and former Twins "Bomba Squad" member announced his decision Thursday on The Adam Jones Podcast.
"So this is the last we're seeing of Nelson Cruz?" Jones asked.
"I think so, yeah," Cruz responded.
Cruz was released by San Diego on July 10 after batting .245 with five homers and 23 RBI in 49 games. He had signed a $1 million, one-year contract.
Cruz hit 18 postseason homers and played in consecutive World Series with the Texas Rangers in 2010 and '11. He made five appearances among the top 10 in Most Valuable Player voting.
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Robust competition is likely for righthander Roki Sasaki, whose agent suggests a “smaller, midmarket” team might be a good route to take, but the Los Angeles Dodgers are said to be the favorites to land him.
