Seattle Mariners Announce That Longtime Fan Favorite Will Throw Out First Pitch on Opening Day

Cruz announced his retirement this offseason and this will be the first season since 2005 that doesn't include him.

The 19-year veteran spent time with the Milwaukee Brewers, Texas Rangers, Orioles, Mariners, Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres. He spent eight great years in Texas and four (2015-2018) prodigious years in Seattle. With the M's, he paired with Felix Hernandez, Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager to make one of the most star-studded groups in M's history. Unfortunately though, that group was not able to make the playoffs and end then playoff drought that eventually spanned from 2001-2021.

One of the most powerful players of his generation, the slugger hit 30 home runs or more in seven consecutive full seasons between 2014-2021. He also hit 16 in the shortened COVID season. He led baseball in homers (40) in the 2014 season and led baseball in RBI (119) during the 2017 season, when he was with the Mariners.

Cruz ended his career with 464 career home runs and a lifetime .274 batting average. He made seven All-Star teams, was a four-time Silver Slugger and was named ALCS MVP in 2011.

Cruz's first pitch will coincide with a season-opening four-game series for Seattle against Boston.