Nelson Cruz

Nelson Cruz, born in 1972, was a professional baseball pitcher whose career spanned from 1997 to 2003. He played in a time when Major League Baseball was transitioning into a more offensive era, characterized by the emergence of power hitters and an increasing emphasis on strikeouts. Over the course of his career, Cruz compiled a record of 15-23, with an earned run average (ERA) of 5.04. He showcased his ability to miss bats, recording a total of 277 strikeouts, and contributed to his teams with 2 saves during his tenure. Cruz's pitching style was marked by a combination of speed and movement, which allowed him to be competitive in various roles on the mound. While he may not have achieved the acclaim of some of his contemporaries, his contributions were significant in the context of the teams he played for. As he retired from professional baseball, Cruz left behind a legacy as a reliable arm in the bullpen and a testament to the evolving landscape of pitching in the early 2000s.