Ivan Cruz, baseball player, 1997-2002

Ivan Cruz

Born: 5/3/1968 in Fajardo, P.R.

MLB Debut: 1997-07-18 | Final Game: 2002-09-27

Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 6'3" | Weight: 210 lbs

Full name: Luis Ivan Cruz

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Biography

Ivan Cruz, born in 1968, was a professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1997 to 2002. Throughout his career, he played a total of 41 games, showcasing his skills as a position player during a time when the game was increasingly dominated by home runs and power hitting. Cruz recorded 15 hits, including 2 home runs, and contributed 8 RBIs, finishing his career with a batting average of .273. His playing style reflected the transition of the late 1990s and early 2000s, a period characterized by the rise of offensive statistics and an emphasis on power. Although his career was relatively brief, Cruz's contributions on the field were notable in the context of the era. His ability to get on base and produce runs, despite having no stolen bases, highlighted a different approach to offense that focused more on contact hitting and situational awareness. After retiring from professional play on September 27, 2002, Ivan Cruz left behind a legacy as a player who participated in a transformative period in baseball history, bridging the gap between traditional play and the evolving strategies of modern baseball.

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
41 55 5 15 1 0 2 8 0 3 17 0.273 0.310 0.400 0.710 0.0

Career AVG .273 vs. league average .267 across their career seasons — near league average.

Career OBP .310 vs. league average .339 across their career seasons — 8.6% below league average.

Career SLG .400 vs. league average .427 across their career seasons — 6.3% below league average.

Career OPS 0.710 vs. league average 0.766 across their career seasons — 7.3% below league average.

Season-by-Season Batting

Year Team Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG Lg AVG Lg OBP Lg SLG Lg OPS PIV
1997 NYY AL 11 20 0 5 1 0 0 3 0 2 4 0.250 — — — — 0.0
1999 PIT NL 5 10 3 4 0 0 1 2 0 0 2 0.400 — — — — 0.0
2000 PIT NL 8 11 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0.091 — — — — 0.0
2002 STL NL 17 14 2 5 0 0 1 3 0 1 3 0.357 — — — — 0.0

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
1B 12 2 38 2 0 3
OF 2 0 1 0 0 0

Season-by-Season Fielding

Year Team Pos G GS PO A E DP
1997 NYA 1B 3 0 7 0 0 0
1997 NYA OF 1 0 1 0 0 0
1999 PIT 1B 1 1 13 1 0 3
1999 PIT OF 1 0 0 0 0 0
2000 PIT 1B 1 1 6 0 0 0
2002 SLN 1B 7 0 12 1 0 0

Career Games by Position

Position Games
First Base 12
Left Field 1
Right Field 1
Designated Hitter 4

Salary History

Year Team League Salary
1999 PIT NL $205,000
Total Career Earnings $205,000

College History

School Name City State Years Attended
Jacksonville University Jacksonville FL 1987, 1988, 1989