Usually, we think of players going to work for one of their former teams in situations like this, but the Dodgers were not one of the nine teams to employ Cruz during his 23 years as a pro. Obviously, they’ve admired him from afar anyway. Cruz retired earlier this month after hitting 464 homers in 19 major league seasons.

Usually, we think of players going to work for one of their former teams in situations like this, but the Dodgers were not one of the nine teams to employ Cruz during his 23 years as a pro. Obviously, they’ve admired him from afar anyway. Cruz retired earlier this month after hitting 464 homers in 19 major league seasons.

The 43-year-old Cruz hit .245/.283/.399 in 152 plate appearances for San Diego this year before being released in July. He finishes his 19-year career with 2,053 hits, 464 home runs, 1,325 RBI, four Silver Sluggers, and seven. All-Star games His 464 home runs are second among “active” major leaguers, 47 behind Miguel Cabrera, who also retired this year. Cruz will retire as one of the best hitters of his generation.

As far as we can tell, Cruz is only officially retiring from LIDOM. However, there’s also been nothing to suggest he’ll give MLB another try, as he decided against signing anywhere after being released by the Padres in July. The 43-year-old Cruz hit .245/.283/.399 in 152 plate appearances for San Diego this year. He’s second among “active” major leaguers with 464 homers, 47 behind Miguel Cabrera. Assuming that he joins Cabrera in retirement, Giancarlo Stanton, at 402, will take over as the active leader next year.