![]() Like I said, he comes here every day and works hard, and I feel really happy. He comes here, he just thinks about work and plays the game. I was really excited about it because that guy works so hard every day. Having spent the better part of seven months around Cruz, Twins players understand the effort that goes into it. Known for his regimented routine, endless preparation and for taking the occasional power nap, Cruz has impressed his teammates all season. He accomplished the feat by averaging a home run every 11 at-bats this season. ![]() This is just the latest one, but it’s a very, very special one.”Ĭruz became the 57th player in major-league history to hit 400 homers. We’re all honored to be here and witness it and enjoy this experience with him. ![]() “Nelly going out there and hitting his 400th home run, maybe he picked the perfect day to do it. “It’s a very memorable day,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. After several seconds in the dugout, Cruz return for a curtain call. Teammates Sanó, Eddie Rosario and Marwin Gonzalez each hugged Cruz, who had saluted the crowd by removing his helmet before he stepped into the dugout. Cruz’s drive splashed down in the second deck in right-center and bounced around the concourse like a pinball.Īs Cruz arrived at home plate to put his team ahead 8-6, he pointed to the sky and then to his parents, who were in the stands. 2045a2ASkeĬruz received several big hugs from his teammates after circling the bases in the fourth inning on Sunday after he hammered a first-pitch fastball from Gabe Speier and drove it out to right field for a no-doubt homer. becomes just the 3rd player in history to hit 40+ HR in a season at age-39 or older (Bonds, Aaron). “Are you serious? If that happens I’m going to hug you.” When Morse realized Cruz intended to hit 40 homers in 2019 and help the Twins host their first playoff game at Target Field since 2010, he admits he was surprised. While sitting at dinner at Cedar + Stone in the Mall of America JW Marriott with members of his entourage, chief baseball officer Derek Falvey and general manager Thad Levine, Cruz spoke to Morse about wanting to celebrate the achievement by building a baseball field in the offseason. Right after he passed his physical and signed a deal worth at least $14.3 million, Cruz didn’t hold back. ![]() Early in the season, Cruz said he’d held the belief in his teammates’ collective abilities since his trip to Minneapolis with Seattle in April 2018, and it’s one reason he implored his agent to investigate last offseason whether playing with the Twins was feasible. He believed in the Twins and thought if they maintained their focus, they had enough talent to unseat Cleveland atop the division standings. Throughout the season, Cruz has been positive for the group, never getting too caught up in the roller-coaster of highs and lows and instead, staying focused on the big picture. That’s what he does, and that’s what he does well.”Ĭruz’s confidence has been a driving force for the Twins since the team arrived in Fort Myers, Fla., back in February. That’s all you can ask out of a guy, really, just go out there and compete and give the pitcher a hard time trying to throw strikes and make them pay if they do. You always expect a quality at-bat or hard contact. “He’s Superman,” catcher Mitch Garver said. The victory reduced the Twins’ magic number to three with six games to play and kept them four games in front of the Cleveland Indians in the American League Central. The veteran homered to turn the momentum back in his team’s favor, and Miguel Sanó went deep twice as the Twins downed the Kansas City Royals 12-8 at Target Field. But Morse quickly learned that Cruz not only intended to reach 400 in 2019, he planned to do it en route to making the playoffs.Ĭruz got halfway there Sunday afternoon and the Twins inched closer to the postseason. Dobnak shut the Tigers down afterwards, allowing no hits the rest of the way.Knowing Cruz was 40 homers away, Morse initially believed the slugger was thinking ahead to 2020. According to research by MLB.com’s Jason Beck, it marked the first time Cabrera scored from first since 2016. On the play, Cabrera scored all the way from first. Early offense, again:Īfter a Twins error that put Miguel Cabrera on first, Candelario continued his hot hitting with an RBI double to right-center field. He will compete for a starting rotation spot next spring. Most importantly, Norris, 26, stayed healthy. Norris has pitched particularly well since August, posting an 2.25 ERA as the Tigers tapered down his usage with abbreviated outings. For Norris, it was his best major league season: With three scoreless innings on Wednesday night, the lefty finished his season with a 4.49 ERA and 1.330 WHIP in 144 ⅓ innings. Then, he shook head athletic trainer Doug Teter’s hand. Minutes after Norris exited the game, he received a handshake and two pats on the chest from manager Ron Gardenhire.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |