1. Early Life and Background
Héctor Julio De La Cruz was born in Sabana Perdida, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. While some sources indicate his birth date as October 12, 1965, others list it as December 5, 1965. He is known by the nickname La MantaLa MantaSpanish.
2. Playing Career
Héctor de la Cruz had a diverse professional playing career that spanned various leagues, showcasing his adaptability and skills across multiple positions.
2.1. Minor League Early Career
De la Cruz began his professional career in 1984, signing with the Toronto Blue Jays. He spent seven years within the Blue Jays' minor league system, playing until 1990. During this period, his primary positions were third baseman and outfielder, though he did not advance to the major league level with the team.
2.2. Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB)
In 1991, De La Cruz ventured to Japan, signing a contract with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) on January 16. His estimated annual salary was 15.00 M JPY. His registration name in Japan was デラクルーズDe La CruzJapanese. The Giants' management saw potential in his speed, strong arm, and ability to play multiple positions (outfielder, third baseman, and first baseman), with a plan to develop him further on their farm team (ni-gun).
At the time, the Giants also had other foreign players such as Lu Ming-Tzu and Phil Bradley. Due to the foreign player quota restrictions, De La Cruz started the season with the ni-gun team. He was promoted to the first team (ichi-gun) on May 17, following a hitting slump by Lu Ming-Tzu. His first appearance in an ichi-gun game was on May 18, 1991, against the Hiroshima Toyo Carp at Tokyo Dome, where he started as the seventh batter and third baseman. In that game, he also recorded his first hit, a single off pitcher Kazuhisa Kawaguchi. However, his stint with the ichi-gun team was brief, as he was removed from the roster on May 24. His performance in ni-gun also struggled, with a batting average of .267 and only one home run in 35 games. Deemed to have limited future potential, De La Cruz was released by the Giants on July 15. He was subsequently replaced by Denny González, who was brought in due to Phil Bradley's hitting difficulties.
2.3. Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL)
Following his time in Japan, De La Cruz moved to the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) in Taiwan. He played for the Brother Elephants from 1992 to 1993 and later for the Sinon Bulls in 1996. His registration name in Taiwan was 克魯茲KèlǔzīChinese. In the CPBL, he often played as a shortstop, demonstrating his versatility as a utility player capable of covering various infield and outfield positions.
2.4. Mexican League
From 1997 to 1999, De La Cruz continued his playing career in the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol. He concluded his professional playing days in this league before retiring as a player.
2.5. Playing Style and Characteristics
De La Cruz was known for several key attributes as a player. He possessed notable speed, capable of running 164 ft (50 m) in 5.9 seconds, a speed associated with the 50-meter dash. He also had a strong throwing arm and was highly valued for his versatility, playing effectively as an outfielder, third baseman, first baseman, and shortstop throughout his career.
3. Managerial and Coaching Career
After retiring as a player, Héctor de la Cruz transitioned into a career in coaching and management, primarily within the minor league systems in the United States and in the Caribbean.
3.1. Minor League Coaching and Management
From 2001 to 2012, De La Cruz served in various coaching and managerial capacities within the Arizona Diamondbacks' minor league system. He began as a coach for the Missoula Osprey of the Pioneer League (2001-2002) and the Class-A South Bend Silver Hawks (2003-2004).
In 2005, he commenced his managerial career with the Missoula Osprey, leading them to a Pioneer League pennant victory in 2006. The following year, he managed the Single-A Visalia Oaks, achieving a 77-63 record and securing a playoff appearance in the California League. From 2008 to 2009, he managed the Class AA Mobile BayBears of the Southern League.
De La Cruz returned to manage the Missoula Osprey for the 2010 and 2011 seasons. After posting a 28-47 record in 2010, he significantly improved the team's performance in 2011, leading them to a 41-35 record. This performance was the best among North Division teams and marked their first Pioneer League North Division First-Half championship since 1999. In recognition of his leadership, he was named the Pioneer League Manager of the Year at the conclusion of the 2011 season. His final year in the Diamondbacks' minor league system was 2012, where he worked with the AZL Diamondbacks.
3.2. Caribbean Baseball League
During the 2007-2008 Dominican League regular season, Héctor De La Cruz managed the Tigres del Licey. Although the team finished second and typically would not qualify for the Caribbean Series, they received an unexpected opportunity. Puerto Rico's circuit canceled its regular season due to financial reasons, leading Licey to replace them in the 2008 Caribbean Series. De La Cruz then famously led the Tigres del Licey to capture the 2008 Caribbean Series title, defeating their Dominican rival Águilas Cibaeñas, Venezuela's Tigres de Aragua, and Mexico's Yaquis de Obregón.
4. Career Statistics
The following table summarizes Héctor de la Cruz's batting statistics in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL).
| Year | Team | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | TB | RBI | SB | CS | SH | SF | BB | IBB | HBP | SO | GDP | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Giants | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .250 | .400 | .250 | .650 |
| 1992 | Brothers | 77 | 291 | 236 | 50 | 67 | 16 | 0 | 12 | 119 | 39 | 19 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 50 | 0 | 2 | 55 | 8 | .284 | .412 | .504 | .916 |
| 1993 | Brothers | 82 | 294 | 261 | 44 | 67 | 17 | 2 | 9 | 115 | 27 | 21 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 61 | 8 | .257 | .340 | .441 | .781 |
| 1996 | Sinon | 87 | 332 | 290 | 37 | 76 | 17 | 6 | 3 | 114 | 31 | 18 | 11 | 10 | 2 | 28 | 0 | 2 | 62 | 4 | .262 | .329 | .393 | .722 |
| NPB Total (1 year) | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .250 | .400 | .250 | .650 | |
| CPBL Total (3 years) | 246 | 917 | 787 | 131 | 210 | 50 | 8 | 24 | 348 | 97 | 58 | 34 | 12 | 3 | 109 | 1 | 6 | 178 | 20 | .267 | .359 | .442 | .801 | |
5. Uniform Numbers
Héctor de la Cruz wore the following uniform numbers during his professional playing career:
- 49 (1991, Yomiuri Giants)
- 15 (1992-1993, Brother Elephants)
- 7 (1996, Sinon Bulls)
6. Awards and Honors
- Pioneer League Manager of the Year (2011)