My father is a smart man.
For several years, he had tried to get me to play in the Puerto Rican Winter League for the Ponce team he manages.
“Come and it will be fun,” he would tell me. “We'll get the family together.”
For several years, I didn't accept his invitation. Then in 2004, I had a friend, Mike Feldsberg, die in Iraq. That got me started thinking more about family.
The next time my dad asked, I told him, “I'm there.”
I didn't know what to expect. But I knew I didn't want to regret having the chance and not doing it. The Cruz family is centered in Arroyo, about 45 miles east of Ponce.
Playing for my dad in Ponce was like a family reunion. My brother Enrique also played for Ponce. So did my cousin, Alberto Cruz.
It was a very good winter. I think it is special when family sticks up for family. Which is why when my dad called again last year, I decided to go back to Puerto Rico.
This time was different, however.
My sons Trei (8) and Antonio (7) were there as batboys. My uncle was also coaching. Seven Cruzes with Ponce.
We rode together in the same car to games. We had a lot of fun, talked a lot of baseball and about life . . . about how much baseball had done for us and about growing up in Arroyo.
It is one of the best memories of my career.
How often can you hit a home run and be greeted at the plate by your son, the batboy? Then return to the dugout to get congratulations from the manager, your father?
Over time, I think last winter will be more memorable for my sons than the rest of us. But I understand more. I see some things my dad saw when he first said, “Come play for me at Ponce.”
Remember, I got waived last August by the Dodgers. I didn't play for a while. And being waived like that left a sour taste in my mouth.
I wanted to play. I was going to winter ball even before I signed with the Padres. But it was good what happened last winter in Ponce. All the pain went away playing for my father, alongside my brother and cousin and with my sons watching from the dugout.
Now it is another season and the Cruz baseball family is all over the map.
I am with the Padres. My dad coaches with the Astros. Enrique is playing Class AA with the Mets. Alberto is in the minor leagues with the Astros. And uncle Cirilo (Tommy) is a minor league hitting coach with the Mariners.
But I know we all think about our two winters together with Ponce.
