Minnesota Twins: Nelson Cruz blasts his 400th career home run vs. Kansas City
By Chris Schad
The Minnesota Twins designated hitter came full circle on Sunday, hitting his 400th career home run for the team he hit his first career home run against.
If there is one signing that has transformed the Minnesota Twins into the Bomba Squad, it was the decision to bring in Nelson Cruz. The initial decision to bring in the now 39-year old slugger was met with some resistance by Twins fans, but the one-year, $14 million pact is almost a bargain as the Twins move closer to winning the American League Central.
On Sunday afternoon, Cruz hit another important milestone for the Twins as he hit the 400th home run of his career as the Twins jumped out to an early lead over the Kansas City Royals. While that number is something few expected from the veteran slugger last winter, it was also significant in that it was Cruz’s 40th home run of the season, bringing the Twins’ total to 294.
That number has been indicative of how good Cruz has been during a career that started back in 2005 with the Milwaukee Brewers. After being part of a lopsided trade that sent himself and Carlos Lee to the Texas Rangers, Cruz would blast his first career home run at the Metrodome against the Twins on July 31, 2006.
Since then, a lot of balls have flown over the fence as Cruz was one of the anchors of a Texas Rangers team that went to the World Series in 2010 and 2011. Along with stints in Baltimore and Seattle, Cruz has crossed the 40 home run mark four times during his 14-year career and has hit 37 or more home runs in each of the past six seasons.
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While he will be in a Twins uniform in 2020 thanks to a $12 million club option, it will be interesting to see where Cruz’s final home run total will end up. With no signs of slowing down, 500 home runs appears to be within reach especially if Cruz decides to play into his 40s.