Former Dodger Luis Cruz had no idea how good Shohei Ohtani would become as a hitter when he played against the rising star in Japan a decade ago.
Whenever he stepped into the batter’s box, the crowd at Dodger Stadium used to chant, “Cruuuuz!” He was a role player on the Dodgers for less than two seasons, but the team sold his replica jersey in the team store. Luis Cruz was beloved by fans. Over the weekend, it was the now-40-year-old Cruz who played the role of fan as he recounted the walk-off grand slam that made Shohei Ohtani the sixth player in baseball history to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in a season.
With a resume that also included stints with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Milwaukee Brewers, Cruz said he was often asked in Japan about how Ohtani might fare in the United States. He thought Ohtani’s major-league future was on the mound, figuring he would have to focus on either pitching or hitting. “I always expected him to be a good pitcher,” he said. “He had three good pitches — fastball, splitter and slider — and he threw 100 .
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Bookie linked to Shohei Ohtani's ex-interpreter to plead guilty in illegal sports betting scandalMathew Bowyer, 49, of San Juan Capistrano, is expected to plead guilty next week to charges of operating an unlawful gambling business, money laundering and filing a false tax return, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Read more »
Bookmaker to plead guilty in gambling case tied to baseball star Shohei Ohtani's ex-interpreterA Southern California bookmaker who took thousands of sports bets from the ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to running an illegal gambling business.
Read more »
Bookmaker to plead guilty in case tied to Shohei Ohtani's ex-interpreterThe bookmaker who took thousands of sports bets from the ex-interpreter for Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to running an illegal gambling business.
Read more »
Bookie for Shohei Ohtani's ex-interpreter will plead guilty to illegal gambling chargesAn Orange County bookie whose clients included Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges for running an illegal gambling business.
Read more »
Bookmaker to plead guilty in case tied to baseball star Shohei Ohtani's ex-interpreterA bookmaker who took thousands of sports bets from the ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty.
Read more »
Bookmaker to plead guilty in gambling case tied to baseball star Shohei Ohtani's ex-interpreterA Southern California bookmaker who took thousands of sports bets from the ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to running an illegal gambling business
Read more »