All in the (Astros) family for José Cruz

By Jose de Jesus Ortiz

For multiple generations of Astros fans, José “Cheo” Cruz is the face of the Houston organization. His retired No. 25 jersey shares exclusive company at Minute Maid Park with National Baseball Hall of Famers  Nolan Ryan, Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell.

Cruz has devoted most of his adult life to the Astros, either as an outfielder from 1975 through 1987, as a beloved coach from 1997 through 2009 or as a community outreach executive and part-time Spanish broadcaster since 2010.

Cruz, 70, is in his 35th year with the Astros organization – half his life. He is part of the Astros, and the Astros are part of his family. So it was no surprise that he shed a few tears when his youngest son, José Enrique, informed him that the Astros had drafted his grandson, Antonio, in the 37th round of the draft on June 6.

José Enrique, who works in community development for the Astros, waited until his father walked into Minute Maid Park on June 6 to break the news to him before an Astros game.

“We were super happy with the Astros organization for drafting him,” the two-time All-Star said. “He’s going to college, but it’s an honor that the Astros picked him.

“It was very emotional. I was very excited. Cheito and I are very proud. Their father is very proud, just as I felt when they drafted Cheito and Jose Enrique in the past.”

Hitting the Books

Although the elder Cruz spends some of the offseason in his native Puerto Rico, he and his wife Zoraida made Houston home three decades ago. Baseball and academics were paramount in the Cruz household.

When Cheito and José Enrique Cruz weren’t with their father at the Astrodome as kids, they were hitting the books with their sister Shakira under their mom’s supervision.

José Cruz’s father in-law Carmelo Vazquez always preached the value of education. He wanted to secure his children’s education to set them up for life. His daughter Zoraida Cruz has passed along those values to her kids and grandkids.

“Education is the best inheritance that you can leave for your children,” Zoraida Cruz said in 2013. “He wouldn’t let us work because if we worked we wouldn’t finish school. That’s the same thing I wanted to give my children.”

The emphasis she gave to education truly made its impression on her kids.

Shakira graduated from Texas A&M and then graduated from law school. The Cruz sons and grandsons also went the collegiate route, starting another family tradition.

Making Rice a Cruz Home

Although he was picked in the 15th round of the 1992 draft by the Braves, “Cheito” Cruz Jr. delayed his pro career to attend Rice University. He starred for the Owls before the Mariners selected him with the third overall pick of the 1995 draft.

José Enrique, who was drafted by the Cubs in the 49th round of the 2000 draft, also delayed the start of his pro career to attend Rice University. He remained in school after he was drafted by the Reds in the 13th round of the 2002 draft.

That decision paid off when José Enrique helped the Owls win the 2003 College World Series title. He eventually signed with the Yankees after he was drafted in the 14th round of the 2003 draft.

So it should be no surprise that José and Zoraida Cruz’s grandsons will follow their dad Cheito’s example and delay their pro careers. Antonio will follow his older brother Trei to Rice University.

The Astros drafted Trei in the 35th round of the 2017 draft. They picked Antonio in the 37th round, but both will attend the university from which their father and uncle José Enrique graduated in 2013.

Trei Cruz, a second baseman, starred in his first season at Rice. He hit six home runs and 13 doubles while hitting .279 with a .438 slugging percentage with a team-high 40 walks and 45 RBIs.

June 6 was an exciting news day in the Cruz family. The same day Trei was named to the Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-America team the Astros drafted his brother Antonio, who still plans to join him at Rice next season.

Astros Aspirations

The Astros might have another crack at drafting José Cruz’s grandsons later out of Rice. That would be the ultimate dream for their grandfather and grandmother, who rejoiced when Cheito finally joined the Astros at the end of his 12-year playing career in 2008.

“Being part of the Astros is something that is very special to us,” said José Cruz, who began his career with the Cardinals before truly starring with the Astros. “I started with the Astros. Then Junior finished his career with the Astros. We are all very proud. I’m speechless. We’re going to wish them a lot of luck so they can have success.”

For now, the younger Cruz boys will focus on their education. Their father taught them the importance of education in 2013 when they attended his graduation at Rice five years after he retired from baseball.

“I had to figure out how to finish school because it was ingrained in us to finish school,” Cheito said a few years ago. “It was very important to finish college.

The Astros, Rice University, baseball and education remain important, valued parts of the Cruz legacy in Houston.

“It’s a big sense of accomplishment for the boys to be considered pro prospects, much more being drafted,” Cheito Cruz said of his sons. “I feel a big sense of pride in that the boys are getting a bit of national recognition for their hard work. Having something to show for your hard work is always valuable. My father has been a part of my boys’ development the entire time.

“He is their biggest fans! The joy he gets working with them and watching them makes me the happiest guy in the world. It’s truly a family affair.”

Featured Image: Focus on Sport

Inset Image (Sr): Focus on Sport

Inset Image (Jr): John Grieshop / Major League Baseball