he was also the 3rd baseman for the Orioles on their 1983 World Series team.

http://masnsports.com/2008/09/sad-news-about-a-former-oriole.html

Sad, tomorrow is promised to no one.

Todd played for the Orioles in 1983-84 and was a member of the 1983 World Champs

His 1981 season was short but memorable. He joined the Edmonton Trappers during a road trip in Hawaii, and played in both games of a Victoria Day doubleheader in Edmonton, hitting a homer in game 2. That night he got drunk, and broke into the downtown Hudson's Bay store, where police found him with watches strapped to his arms.

After spending the next day in court, he returned to the field, where at least one fan greeted him with "What time is it?" He played just 8 games for the Trappers, but returned to Edmonton in July for trial, which ended in a ludicrous plea bargain. He pled guilty to attempted breaking and entering, even though he actually did break and enter and did actually take the watches.

we played together in 1972 and won the national championship in balitmore when we were 16 back then george kell said of him he had one of the greatest throwing arms he ever saw in baseball my dad and his played high school ball together he played short i played third and dale petrosky who is the president of the baseball hall of fame played second those two were as good as tramell and whitaker at turning double plays he hit some of the longest home runs in detroit sandlot history and was a great teammate and a great person the last time i saw him in ca i sold him a car that was going to be for his son my heart goes out to his children and i cant wait to play catch with him again someday thanks for all the great memories i have back when we played the game that we loved so much todd cruz loved baseball we loved him johnny fish

Thanks John. Sorry for your loss.

I remember watching Todd play in Oklahoma City for the 89er's and again in California. He and Lonnie Smith were my two favorite players growing up and the news of his death just makes me wanna cry...yeah, I know...there's no crying in baseball. He had a great smile, was kind to everyone he met, signed autographs without hesitation and cared about the fans...my thoughts and prayers go out to his family...he was a great guy and I feel blessed to have known him. Hit a homer in heaven, Todd!

Thank You all for the comments and for having this posted Todd was my father. We are having a memorial on sat. sept.13th @ Don Graham funeral home at 1005 Junction Detroit, MI 48209

Cruz family,
I am so sorry to hear of Todd's passing and the great loss to your family. I knew Todd when
he was doing card signing in Riverside,CA back in the 90's , and I got to see him a few times the last two years in Colton. He was great a great person and he will be missed.

God bless you

George

Cruz family,
I am so sorry to hear of Todd's passing and the great loss to your family. I knew Todd when
he was doing card signing in Riverside,CA back in the 90's , and I got to see him a few times the last two years in Colton. He was great a great person and he will be missed.

God bless you

George

Cruz Family- My prayers go out to you all, I new Todd as a young girl in southwest Detroit my older sister Gina dated Todd. He was her first love, she was only 16 yrs old. He was a very nice guy and baseball came before everything! He was always with his two friends Freddy and Stanley. I also remember his sister Lynn. My dad Pablo had a softball league and Todd sponsered one of the teams. He was a great guy!

Sorry for your Loss and God Bless you all!

To Todd Cruz's entire family;
I was very saddned to hear the news of Todd's passing. I grew up in SW Detroit and Todd was our hometown hero. I considered Todd a friend; he was friend's with my brother's as well. I remember when he played in the world series and the team won! My family and I were so proud of him and we were so excited to send him a telegram to congratuatle him. As a community had pride in our hearts for him as he was one of us. To Dario, Thad, Sharon, Lynn and other family members that I may not know, please know that you have my heartfelt sympathy, love, prayers and concern during your time of bereavement. God bless all of you.

Todd was a great guy, and he had a mischievous side to him. We were best friends in the fifth grade at Newberry when he lived on Junction and I lived on 31st. We drifted apart as we got older, but we'd see each other at Boys Club on Livernois. We went to Western High at the same time, but he had moved over to W. Lafayette and we lost touch except for greetings in the halls. You could see his baseball talents developing at a rapid pace. What an arm! I hadn't seen him but once in the last 20 years, but I always keep him in my memories. I'll never forget him. Sincerest condolences to the family.

Although I never met Todd personally, I do remember him in Western High School in Detroit, where I also attended. He was very popular, always friendly and smiling. My sincerest condolences to Todd's family.

To Todd�s family:
Todd was a special person who touched my life at a time when it meant so much to a sixteen year old girl. As my sister Sandy said, he was my boyfriend for a short time but a he was a friend of mine and of my family for much longer. Baseball was his first love and it was that love and commitment that took him from the neighborhood at Western High School in Southwest Detroit, and what made him so special. He was the one person from our neighborhood who made it big. We were all proud to have known him. Although it had been many years since we were in touch, he was always there in thought. In fact just two weeks ago I ran into a photo of him on an SNS and thought of posting a hello. I sadly regret not following through, with it.
It breaks my heart to know that he is gone. I would like to express my deep sadness and genuine condolences to his sons, Thad and Dario; his sisters, Sharon & Lynn, and other members of his family that I don�t know. He will be sadly missed.

Todd was a very close friend of my family, although I never personally met him, I've never heard anything bad about him. He was my cousin's Godfather and my Uncle Bill's best friend through high school. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him!

God bless you, Todd and family.
Amanda Giles (Shirley & Bill Hart)

Todd was a very close friend of my family, although I never personally met him, I've never heard anything bad about him. He was my cousin's Godfather and my Uncle Bill's best friend through high school. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him!

God bless you, Todd and family.
Amanda Giles (Shirley & Bill Hart)

With Sincere Condolences to the Todd Cruz
Family.

Dave McCall&Family

I just learned today of my cousin's (Todd) passing. Unfortunately, it has been about 20 years since I last talked to him. I admired and looked up to him, especially during my softball years.
My heart goes out to my cousins, Thadeus and Dario.
You'll always be remembered. Oh yeah...thanks again for the socks!!!
Love always,

Your cousin Kelly

i grew up with todd but i was a little younger he was my older brothers age but i still knew him but i know his sister sharon and his sister real weel he is loved and will be missed by me and my whole family i still see sharon and ocasionally when i go to detroit . he will be missed by everyone i am proud to say i knew him .

I was truly sorry to hear of Todds passing. He was a great baseball player and a great friend. We grew up together in Detroit. I had the honor of going to Philidelphia to not only see him win the World Series but to celebrate with him and his family. The times we shared are endless, fun times. Todd you'll be missed God Bless You and Your Family.