This date in Kernels alumni history – June 23, 1978

On June 23, 1978, Hector Cruz (Cedar Rapids Cardinals - 1970-72) went 3-4 at the plate with a HR, four RBI and scored two runs in the San Francisco Giants 9-0 win over the Atlanta Braves.

Hector Cruz hit .225 with 39 HR and 200 RBI during his nine year MLB career playing for St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants and the Cincinnati Reds.

Hector Cruz played parts of three season for the Cedar Rapids Cardinals. In 1970, Cruz hit .146 in 24 games for the squad that finished with a mark of 57-64 under manager Roy Majtyka. Cruz hit .276 with 23 HR and 68 RBI in 111 games for the 1971 Ceadr Rapids Cardinals. The team posted a record of 67-53 to finished 4th under manager Bobby Dews. Cruz hit .333 with 5 HR in 40 games in 1972 for the Cedar Rapids Cardinals squad that would finish with a mark of 51-77 under manager Gary Geiger.