The former major leaguer and Rice alum just finished up his first year at the helm of Owls baseball.
Courtesy Rice University
Jose Cruz, Jr. had what might be called a “robust” major league career, playing for nine teams over a span of a decade-plus. I got to know Cruz Jr. when he played high school and college ball in the Houston area. I watched him again when he made his last MLB stop in Houston (2008).
Cruz Jr. stayed in baseball after his playing days were over, first as a TV analyst and, more recently, as the assistant hitting coach for the Detroit Tigers. Cruz, Jr. returned to Texas in June 2021 to take over responsibilities as head coach of the Rice Owls baseball, a program that has made seven College World Series appearances, the last in 2008, winning it all in 2003.
Now playing in Conference USA, Cruz Jr.’s challenge is to get RU back in the national spotlight. Rice went 17-39 during Cruz Jr.’s first campaign (9-21 in the conference, 9th place), but things are looking up for 2023.
Jose Cruz Jr. was born into a baseball family. His father, Jose Cruz, played for the Houston Astros, and Cruz Jr. grew up in Bellaire, TX, in the Houston metro area. I remember seeing him play as a high schooler for the Bellaire High Cardinals.
After that, Cruz Jr. enrolled at Rice University and played baseball for legendary coach Wayne Graham, who won about 1200 games as the Owls’ headman. Cruz Jr. was a standout for Rice during his playing days, 1992-95. A three-time All-America, Cruz Jr. also made the USA baseball team (1994). His son, Trei, also played for the Owls, as did his brother, Enrique.
Cruz. Jr. then had a successful run as a major leaguer, hitting .250 for his career as a switch-hitting outfielder. Drafted by the Mariners in 1997, he also played for the Blue Jays, Giants, Rays, Diamondbacks, Red Sox, Dodgers, Padres, and Astros. His career highlights included hitting 30 home runs twice for the Blue Jays, and also stealing 32 bases during one of those seasons.
With Jose Cruz Jr. at the helm, I look for big things from Rice baseball!
