Luis Cruz’s return as Dodgers broadcaster is a dream come true
by Cary Osborne
Luis Cruz can still feel the Dodger Stadium ground rumble 12 years later.
He can still hear the tens of thousands of fans.
“Cruuuuuz!”
The Dodger infielder stood on second base on Sept. 15, 2012, having just delivered a two-out, two-strike double off St. Louis closer Jason Motte to tie the score in the bottom of the ninth inning. And the crowd at Dodger Stadium caused a vibration with their cheering and name-chanting that has lasted for more than a decade.
“Whenever I feel down or whatever, I watch that game,” Cruz says. “It pumps me up again.”
That was the summer of Luis Cruz — then a 28-year-old journeyman playing for his sixth Major League organization. The Navojoa, Mexico native and third-generation Mexican League player was eating fast food and riding Minor League buses less than three months before his game-changing double.
By Sept. 15, he was a sensation in Los Angeles — a midseason callup whose hot run led to him taking over as the Dodgers’ everyday third baseman. Dodger Stadium was selling T-shirts with his name and №47 on the back. (Cruz still owns one.)
Cruz was the Dodgers’ starting third baseman on Opening Day 2013. But after struggles in the batter’s box, his time with the Dodgers ended in June when he was designated for assignment.
But his deep appreciation for the opportunity the Dodgers gave him and affection for the fans never left.
This past summer, he reconnected with the Dodgers. The Mexico resident, still playing professional baseball in his home country, was one of 40 former Dodgers who participated in Alumni Weekend ceremonies Aug. 9–11.
Three months later, he is a Dodger again. Cruz was announced on Wednesday as the newest member of the Dodgers’ Spanish broadcast team on KTNQ 1020 AM. The gregarious former Dodger player will be an analyst working alongside Pepe Yñiguez and José Mota in the Jaime Jarrín Spanish Broadcast Booth beginning in 2025. He will also engage with fans and support various community outreach programs throughout the year.
“This is the third time in my life that I cried for joy,” Cruz said. “The first time was when I was called up to the big leagues. The second time was when I won a championship in Mexico in 2021. When I received the call with the offer, I didn’t know how to explain how I felt. I felt like I got called up to the big leagues again. I can do something for the team again.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Luis to our broadcast team,” said Lon Rosen, Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, Los Angeles Dodgers. “Luis’ passion and knowledge of the game make him a natural fit for this role. During his time with the Dodgers, he quickly won fans over, and we look forward to the energy and insights he’ll bring to the booth.”
Cruz made his Major League debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2008. The Dodgers signed him as a Minor League free agent after the 2011 season. He was called up to the Dodgers on July 2, 2012, and made a quick impact, giving the Dodgers trust that he could shoulder the load at shortstop after Dee Gordon tore a thumb ligament. Later, Cruz took over at third base for a struggling Juan Uribe.
Cruz hit .332 from Aug, 12-Oct. 3 — a span of 48 games. Overall, he batted .297 for the Dodgers in 2012. He last played in the Majors with the Yankees in 2013. From 2014–2017 he played in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league. Since then, it’s been back to Mexico where he has played in the Mexican League and Mexican Winter League.
After a difficult season in 2023, he wanted to give it one last shot in 2024. He signed with his hometown Mayos de Novojoa.
“I wanted to leave after last year because I had a really bad season because my knee was bothering me,” Cruz said. “But my wife talked to me — she was right. She said if I were to retire, I would be frustrated because my last season I hit .210 and I got released. I wanted to retire on my own terms.”
Cruz, the oldest player on Mayos, is batting .283.
The last regular season game is Dec. 30. After that, he will focus on his new career.
Cruz doesn’t have broadcasting experience. But anyone who knows him will tell you, he has the gift of gab.
He calls the job a dream one. For many reasons.
The Dodgers will forever be his team. The late Fernando Valenzuela, the Dodger icon who broadcasted games for the Dodgers for 22 seasons, will forever be one of his heroes. And he will forever remember the love the fans showed him.
“Excitement is one thing,” Cruz said. “But being excited and happy is another. I feel very blessed.”
Luiz Cruz’s return as Dodgers broadcaster is a dream come true was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.