The following article is from the April issue of Mariners Magazine. Pick up your copy of Mariners Magazine today at any Mariners Team Store, or subscribe to receive all six issues (April — September), plus a free 2018 Mariners Yearbook, delivered to your home or office. Each issue is filled with action photography, the latest news, player stats and feature interviews.
Las Matas de Santa Cruz is a town in the northwest corner of the Dominican Republic with a population just under 20,000. Nelson Cruz grew up there, but as popular as baseball is, it wasn’t always the most convenient game to play as a youngster.