Seven-time All-Star's retirement a reminder of when Rangers almost won their first World Series
Nelson Cruz announced his retirement on Thursday, just one day after one of his former teams — the Texas Rangers — won their first World Series title in franchise history.
The longtime designated hitter and outfielder revealed his decision on the "Adam Jones Podcast."
Thursday should be a day of celebration not only for Cruz's career, which included seven All-Star honors, four Silver Slugger Awards and an ALCS MVP, but also for all Rangers fans.
Unfortunately, the timing of the 43-year-old's announcement and the Texas championship may remind some of just how close Cruz and the Rangers were to winning a title in both 2010 and 2011.
The Rangers faced the San Francisco Giants (ironically led by now-Texas manager Bruce Bochy) in the 2010 Fall Classic, and after being outscored 20-7 over the first two contests (both losses), they bowed out in five games. Cruz, ironically, made the final out of Game 5, and San Francisco won three championships in five years.
Texas had an even closer call in 2011 against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Rangers not only held a 3-2 series lead, but were one strike away from tasting victory.
Instead, St. Louis third baseman David Freese hit a game-tying, two-run triple off of Neftali Feliz in the bottom of the ninth to send the contest to extra innings. Freese then won Game 6 with a walk-off solo home run in the bottom of the 11th, and the Cardinals cruised to a 6-2 victory in Game 7.
While the clutch triple from Freese was certainly no can of corn for Cruz in right field, there were plenty of fans who blamed the slugger for his mistimed jump and claimed that he cost the team the championship.
Hopefully, now that the Rangers have finally won their first World Series, any fans holding a grudge against Cruz can let it go. He was the main reason the team was even in a position to capture the 2011 title, earning that year's ALCS MVP.
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