The Los Angeles Dodgers hired former infielder Luis Cruz as an analyst for the team’s Spanish-language radio broadcasts. Cruz is going to begin his new role for the 2025 season.
“We are thrilled to welcome Luis to our broadcast team,” Dodgers executive vice president and chief marketing officer Lon Rosen said in a statement.
“Luis’ passion and knowledge of the game make him a natural fit for this role. During his time with the Dodgers, he quickly won fans over, and we look forward to the energy and insights he’ll bring to the booth.”
Cruz is going to join Pepe Yñiguez and José Mota on flagship station KTNQ 1020 AM and the Dodger Latino Media Network. Cruz additionally is going to engage with Dodgers fans and support various community outreach programs throughout the season.
“I’m very excited about this opportunity,” Cruz said. “There’s a saying, ‘Once you’re a Dodger, you’re always a Dodger.’ Starting in 2012 when I played here, the fans embraced me and made me feel really comfortable.
“Now, to be a part of the Dodger organization again and be with Pepe and José, I look forward to giving my all to make our broadcasts the best they can be.”
The Dodgers’ Spanish-language broadcasts lost a significant voice this year when Fernando Valenzuela stepped away in late September to focus on his health. Valenzuela then passed in October as the Dodgers were on the verge of beginning the World Series.
Luis Cruz’s Dodgers career
Cruz signed with the Boston Red Sox in 2000 as an amateur free agent and made his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2008.
Cruz also played for Pittsburgh during parts of the 2009 season before appearing in seven games for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2010.
His biggest opportunity then came with the Dodgers in 2012, when Cruz hit .297/.322/.431 with 20 doubles, six home runs and 40 RBI over a career-high 78 games.
Overall in his career, Cruz hit .234/.272/.316 while playing for the Pirates, Brewers, Dodgers and New York Yankees in parts of five seasons at the Major League level. Cruz last was in the Majors in 2013.
That same year he also served as the starting third baseman for Team Mexico in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, playing across the diamond from then-Dodgers teammate Adrián González.
In 2014, Cruz played for the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan’s Pacific League, and crossed paths with Shohei Ohtani, who at the time was 19 years old and on the Nippon-Ham Fighters roster.
