It has just been announced that the man who made 2012 so bearable has just been Designated For Assignment. Luis Cruz is being sent down, and it is with some anguish that I relay the news.
#Dodgers today reinstated Scott Van Slyke from the 15-day disabled list and designated Luis Cruz for assignment.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 28, 2013
Cruz was one of the few bright spots for the Dodgers last season. He seemingly came out of nowhere to wrestle away the 3rd base job, and gave some measure of hope that we may have found a solution to a position on the infield that had been left so barren.
Unfortunately, as is often the case in Baseball, longevity is fleeting. I do want to add that this post is in no way an indication that he will never again see MLB play. No... Not at all... I believe this is just another bump on the road for Cruz, and I suspect he'll find a way to contribute - whether it's with us in the future or with another team - I do not know.
Luis Cruz toiled, fought and scraped. He also had the kind of infectious joy we love to see in an underdog. At the age of 17 he joined the Red Sox and for the next 11 years slowly rose up the circuit with various teams before finally being able to show the world that he had some tools. When given the opportunity, he thrived, and this fan truly appreciates the effort he gave both on and off the field.
Once again, Thank You, Luis.
BTW, in his place, Scott Van Slyke has been reinstated to the team and will be joining the Dodgers once again.
I thought I would finish by passing along a highlight video reel I just saw on youtube that shares many of the great Cruz moments from last year. Watch it below.
Video Link:
UPDATE: I want to add that I'm sure there will be plenty of folks who will express a high level of joy with this announcement. To those folks, all I can say is that schadenfreude does not become you.
Pic Credit at Very Top: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013
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I totally agree with you Ernest.
ReplyDeleteCruz certainly was a bright spot last season.
His bat went quiet, but he never worried me on defense. He had a rough 2013 and I'm kinda sorry to see him go too.
I sure hope he gets his mojo back.