Ten facts about Twins' DH Nelson Cruz that you might not know

The Twins have signed DH Nelson Cruz to an 1 yr $14 million contract with a $12 million option for a second year that is buyable for $300,000. The signing has not yet announced.  The Twins roster is full and a corresponding move has to be done to open space.

There has been a lot of pro or con discussion regarding Cruz, but here are ten facts about him you might not know:

1. Both of his parents were professors.  
2. As a teenager he was more of a basketball player than a baseball player
3. He was mechanic's apprentice at a tractor repair factory, as well as a cobbler; not of the sweet kind.  
4. Nelson Cruz was signed as an International Free Agent by the New York Mets in 1996, traded to the Athletics in 2000, and to the Brewers in 2004, because he became a full time major leaguer for the Rangers, after his trade in 2006, a full ten years after he signed as a professional with the Mets.
5. He his his first home run off Willie Eyre of the Minnesota Twins at the Metrodome on July 31st 2006 leading the top of the 9th inning, with the Twins leading 15-1. 
6. Nelson Cruz was suspended for 50 days for his involvement with Biogenesis on August of 2013, and he took full responsibility, accepting that he did wrong.
7. He is a career .325/.355/.667 hitter in 124 PAs at Target Field 
8. He wore uniform numbers 8 with the Brewers, 17 with the Rangers, and 23 with the Mariners. One of Zach Granite (if not DFA'd to make a 40-man spot for Cruz), Jose Berrios, or Mitch Garver might end up with a nice present for his number.
9. The Dominican native became an American Citizen last October (2018,) and has been a New York City resident.
10. Cruz is very active with charity work in the Dominican and his home town of Las Matas de Santa Cruz