Longtime MLB Slugger Nelson Cruz Retires at Age 43

The veteran played 19 years in the majors and was a staple power hitter for over a decade.

Veteran slugger Nelson Cruz officially announced his retirement from baseball after 19 years in the majors at the age of 43. Cruz made the announcement while appearing on The Adam Jones Podcast on Thursday's episode.

After starting in Milwaukee, Cruz spent nearly half of his career with the Rangers, establishing himself as a premier middle-of-the-order bat in Texas for eight seasons. The slugger spent most of his early career as a corner outfielder and was a key member of Texas’ back-to-back AL championship teams in 2010 and ’11.

After Texas, Cruz spent one year with the Orioles, where he hit a league-leading 40 home runs in 2014. He then played the next four years in Seattle, followed by three in Minnesota, and hit at least 37 home runs each season from 2014 to ’19.

Designated hitter Nelson Cruz officially announces his retirement after 19 MLB seasons :: Orlando Ramirez/USA Today network

Cruz bounced around as a designated hitter in the last few years of his career, playing for the Rays, Nationals and Padres since the 2021 trade deadline. He finishes his career with 464 total home runs, including 399 home runs since his 30th birthday, the second most in the league since that day and the fifth most of any player after turning 30.

The slugger retires ranked No. 37 all-time on the home runs leaderboard and No. 101 on the all-time RBIs list.