La Vida Baseball

Cruz has new team and special gift for Pérez

By Andy Martinez

Nelson Cruz has new team

Free agent slugger Nelson Cruz received a belated, though well-earned, Christmas regalo – he signed with the Minnesota Twins on Thursday. Cruz, 38, is signing a 1-year, $14 million deal with a club option for 2020. On Instagram, Cruz thanked his former team, the Seattle Mariners, as well as the city of Seattle, Mariners ownership, fans and reporters, both for his years there and for the support his Boomstick23 foundation received.

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I would like to thank the Mariners ownership especially John for all you have done for me and my hometown, the organization, the coaching staff, my teammates, Ryan, Billy and everyone else in the clubhouse, Rick Rizzs and all of the other reporters I came across, and most importantly the fans for all of your support over the last four seasons.  Seattle, you hold a special place in my heart as you embraced me from the start even when skeptics said I would not succeed in a pitcher friendly park. I hope you enjoyed hearing Dave Sims say Boomstick Baby as much as I did. My Boomstick23 Foundation was formally established while in the Emerald City and I appreciate your support throughout the years. Thank you to my family and my Boomstick23 team for your continued support. Me gustaría darle las Gracias a los Marineros, los dueños especialmente a John por todo lo que han hecho por mí y por mi ciudad natal, a la organización, el cuerpo técnico, mis compañeros de equipo, Ryan, Billy y todos los demás en el clubhouse, Rick Rizzs y todos los demás reporteros. Y más importante, a los fanáticos por todo su apoyo durante las últimas cuatro temporadas. Seattle, es un lugar especial en mi corazón porque me apoyaron desde el principio, incluso cuando los escépticos dijeron que no tendría éxito en un parque que beneficia a los lanzadores. Espero que hayan disfrutado escuchar a Dave Sims decir Boomstick Baby tanto como yo. Mi Fundación Boomstick23 se estableció formalmente en la ciudad de Esmeralda y aprecio su apoyo a lo largo de los años. Gracias a mi familia y a mi equipo Boomstick23 por su apoyo continuo.

A post shared by Nelson Cruz (@ncboomstick23) on

Ramírez remembered

Baseball broadcasters are often as remembered as the stars and teams they call. Vin Scully and Mel Allen are well known. For Spanish broadcasters, former Marlins broadcaster Felo Ramírez was just as big. Ramírez, who passed away on Aug. 21, 2017, was remembered in the Athletic. It reminds us that this Cubano brought béisbol across Latin America, for which he was honored with the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001.

Post of the Day

Salvador Pérez shared a nice holiday gift with his fans. His wife, Maria Gabriela, is expecting a child. That’s an awesome regalo!

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#2 y contando ?

A post shared by Salvador Perez (@salvadorp13) on

Fan Post of the Day

How do you celebrate the holidays and show your love for your equipo? Well, Dodger superfan Mariachi Loco dressed in his traditional Dodger Mariachi look and snapped a picture with Santa Claus, in Dodger Blue. Pretty sweet!

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OTD

1874 – The first documented baseball game occurs in Cuba in Palmar de Junco in Matanzas. Habana defeated Matanzas 51-9 in a game called to darkness after seven innings. We would have called it for something else …

1972 – Roberto Clemente holds a baseball clinic for 300 kids, hitting a home run to left field. In what some consider to be his last swing.

Happy Birthday!

Raúl González (b. 1973)

Featured Image: Nelson Cruz Instagram