The reigning European Champions, Spain, contribute to Team Europe's roster for the Global Baseball Games, CARNEXT SAMURAI JAPAN SERIES, with eight players (pitchers Daniel Alvarez, Fernando Baez and Rhiner Cruz; catcher Gabriel Lino; infielders Wander Encarnacion and Edison Valerio and outfielders Engel Beltre and Daniel Jimenez) and one coach (Aritz Garcia).
The world No. 22 had just four players in the inaugural Global Games roster: pitcher Leslie Nacar, catcher Blake Ochoa, infielder Oscar Angulo and outfielder Fernando Martinez.
Rhiner Cruz, who turned 38 in January, is the player with the most Major League Baseball (MLB) experience on the roster. He appeared in 74 games out of the bullpen for the Houston Astros (2012 and 2013) and Toronto Blue Jays (2018). Cruz competed also in 314 Minor League Baseball (MiLB) games and in 256 Professional Winter League games (Dominican Republic and Venezuela). In 2014 and 2015, he was part of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) Rakuten Golden Eagles bullpen. He appeared in 81 games.
"I'm proud of all this. Having the chance to play at the MLB and NPB level is very important for me and my family. I believe it's a reward for all the effort you put in. It's a long way up through the minors. "
From your point of view, which are the main differences between MLB and NPB?
"In the US you have to go through four or five different levels of baseball, before you make it to the Big Leagues. In Japan you have only two levels, minor and major league. So the preparation for the major league team may be different. I have a lot of respect for the way they get you ready in Japan. They know their discipline."
Cruz, at the time a Rookie League prospect with the New York Mets, made his debut for the Spanish National Team at the European Championship 2007 in Barcelona, Spain, a qualifying tournament for the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Spain took a lead into the final innings against the Netherlands but the Dutch eventually came back and qualified for the Games.
"It's been a long run. I've played under many managers and with many players. It's been a very rewarding experience."
Cruz helped Spain finish fourth in the 2021 Euros and earned the win in the 2023 European Championship semifinal against the incumbent champions Netherlands before claiming the final three outs of the final against Great Britain.
"If I think back to that, it brings me good feelings, a lot of emotions."
What do you expect from the two games in Osaka?
"Japan is the number one in the world, and they have an excellent team. We are a group including the best players in Europe. I expect a great series and quality baseball. We will take the field to give all we have"
How do you think you can contribute?
"I'm the type of guy who can pitch one or two innings and go back-to-back games."
Cruz doesn't need to get ready. His off-season never started after playing in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela over the northern hemisphere winter months. "I had a three-day rest, and then I started working out. I'm a pitcher who needs to keep practising, running and throwing every day."
The cover photo is by Lauro Bassani.
