HOUSTON — A heavy silence fell over the Houston baseball community when Astros legend José Cruz Sr. revealed he was battling cancer. At 77, Cruz, whose name has become synonymous with the Astros, faces the toughest challenge of his life — but his fighting spirit and love for the team remain strong and fierce.
In an emotional message to fans, Cruz shared: “Even though I am sick, I will fight to the end because I have the heart of an Astros warrior, strong and fierce. I will live for the Astros until my last breath. I am grateful to my family, my teammates, and all the fans who have stood by me over the years.” These words brought a choked voice to the city of Houston, and millions of hearts turned to “Cheo,” as fans affectionately called him.
Cruz was not just a great player — with more than 1,900 hits, two-time All-Star, “Rainbow Era” icon — but also the soul of the Astros. He inspired generations of Latino players, paving the way for stars like Carlos Correa, José Altuve, Yordan Alvarez. His love for the Astros was a living testament that baseball was more than just a sport, it was family, it was pride, it was where his heart was.
Former teammate Nolan Ryan said: “José Cruz was the soul of Houston baseball. When you think of leadership, energy, and compassion, you think of José. Now, we need to stand with him, as he stood with this team and this city.”
Houston fans responded immediately, flocking to Minute Maid Stadium with flowers, notes, and signs of support, while the hashtags #PrayForCheo and #AstrosLegend went viral on social media, connecting millions of hearts. Astros Hall of Famer Craig Biggio reminded: “Cheo always taught us to never give up. Now it’s our turn to remind him that he’s not alone.”
Despite his retirement, Cruz has never left the field. He has been a coach, a special advisor, and has always been present and mentored young players. His jersey number 25, which he retired in 1992, still hangs high at Minute Maid Stadium as a testament to his love and dedication.
Now, facing his illness, Cruz remains the spirit of an Astros warrior — resilient, fierce, and dedicated to the team he has always loved. The city of Houston and the baseball world stood by him, reminding him that legends are remembered not only for their accomplishments on the field, but also for their heart, their spirit, and the love they instilled. José Cruz Sr. is a living testament to the unbreakable bond between a legend and his team.
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