Julio Cruz, the 'igniter' on 1983 White Sox division champs, dies at 67

Second baseman Julio Cruz, a key member of the White Sox's 1983 American League West division title team, died Tuesday night. He was 67.

"The 'Cruzer' was the catalyst of that 1983 Western Division championship team," Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. "When (general manager) Roland Hemond acquired him that summer, the team just took off. Julio became our igniter, and his positive energy was contagious in the clubhouse, in the dugout and on the field.

"Sox fans will always remember him dashing across home plate with the division-clinching run. The White Sox organization sends its heartfelt condolences to Julio's family and many friends."

Acquired in a trade with the Mariners for second baseman Tony Bernazard on June 15, 1983, Cruz played in 99 games for the Sox the rest of the season and hit .251 with 1 home run, 40 RBI and 24 stolen bases.

He was 4-for-12 with 2 stolen bases in the White Sox's playoff loss to the Orioles.

"We traded for him to ignite the offense, which he did, and then he obviously scored the winning run when we clinched the AL West that season," said Tony La Russa, who managed the Sox in 1983 and returned to the dugout last year. "He had electric ability as a player but was such a big part of those teams because of his personality. He was a caring guy and because of that, had an emotional connection with his teammates on and off the field.

"Most of us had kept in pretty regular contact with him over the years, but this is a very sad day. He was much too young to leave us and he will be missed."

Cruz broke in with Seattle in 1977 and played six-plus seasons with the Mariners before being traded to the White Sox.

He played with the Sox until 1986 and stole 53 bases in 414 games while batting .224 with 6 home runs and 117 RBI.