TTM Stats
- Sent: 5/29/2018 | Received: 4/9/2020 | 670 Days
- ’77 Topps, ’88 Topps
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
The Story of the Autograph
Jose Cruz is a former outfield in the major leagues. He played from 1970 to 1988 with the St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros, and New York Yankees.
Cruz is Puerto Rican and grew up in Arroyo, Puerto Rico. He was originally signed by the Cardinals as an amateur free agent in October of 1966. After a few years in the minors he made his major league debut with St. Louis on September 19, 1970. He only played a few games that season, but by 1972 he was playing over 100 games and would do so for the next sixteen seasons.
He moved on to Houston in after the 1974 season when he was purchased by the Astros. And that’s where he would be for the next 13 seasons and be best known as an Astro. During his time there he won two Silver Slugger Awards and made two All-Star appearances. He so tied into the Astros organization that he was part of all but one of the teams that made post season appearances for them over the years.
His best season was probably 1983 when he had 189 hits to lead the league (a career high) with a .318 batting average (also a career high), 28 doubles, 14 homers, 92 RBI and 30 stolen bases. He put up a 5.1 WAR that season and finished sixth in the MVP voting that year. He would play in more games than any other player in franchise history until Craig Biggio broke his record.
He moved on to the Yankees as a free agent for his final year. Then he went on to work as a coach in the minors and the Puerto Rican Winter League as well as working with the Astros as a coach and in other capacities.
The Score on Jose Cruz – 5.5
Jose has a pretty simple signature. It’s actually interesting because his first and last names seem to be at two different angles. I think the big thick marker he used is good given his name is so short and it helps it take up a little more room. I love that that ’77 card has his nickname of “Cheo” on it in the facsimile signature.
Thanks Mr. Cruz! I’m giving this return a 5.5.
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Baseball Reference.