Cruz excited to return to Target Field

Three weeks ago, after being traded from the Twins to the Rays, Nelson Cruz said goodbye to his teammates, coaches and staff at Target Field in Minneapolis. The Dominican gunner described as “shocking,” “emotional,” and “heartbreaking” having to leave the family he established in his two and a half seasons with the Twins.

This weekend, Cruz is back in Minneapolis, where the Rays play a three-game series against the Twins beginning Friday night. It is to be expected that the Dominican, who was a great leader in the clubhouse and a key piece of the Minnesota team that won the AL Central title in consecutive seasons in 2019 and 2020, will receive a warm welcome. .

“We won the division in consecutive years, so that definitely makes it special,” Cruz said. “Big fan. The organization is top notch. Coaches have a close relationship with the players. It was definitely a good two and a half years ”.

Well out of postseason contention before the trade deadline, the Twins sent Cruz to Tampa Bay for pitching prospects Joe Ryan and Drew Strotman. The Rays were struck by the very attributes that Cruz was such a sensation in Minnesota: His powerful right bat, his experience and his unrivaled fame as an excellent teammate.

Cruz has faced his former teams on previous occasions, but this is a unique situation, given when the change occurred and his status in the organization. In fact, some of his belongings are still in Minnesota. Although after the change he moved out of the house he was renting, he left some things behind because he had to travel to Cleveland at any time to join the Rays.

Recently, the players Cruz will be trying to defeat this weekend were his teammates, many of whom have said they see the 41-year-old as a father and stay in touch with the Dominican. Cruz thinks those ties, including those he established with Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, make his return to Target Field more emotional.

“I have a great relationship with the guys, so it will be nice to see them,” Cruz said.

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