NEW YORK -- Eight days after announcing his retirement, former designated hitter/outfielder Nelson Cruz was at Citi Field on Saturday afternoon to watch Las Águilas Cibaeñas blank Los Tigres del Licey, 3-0, in Game 2 of the Dominican Winter League Series.

“It was awesome. Incredible. I never thought I would be able to see this,” said Cruz, a Dominican native. “It seems like it’s going to be in the States for many years. The way the fans are reacting is great. We as Dominicans, we love the game [of baseball]. It’s in our DNA. I don’t think it’s going to stop for now.”

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Before the game, New York congressman Adriano Espaillat honored Cruz, 43, with an award that recognized his retirement from professional baseball. It was a 19-year career to remember.

Cruz played for eight teams -- including the Rangers, Orioles and Mariners -- and was a seven-time All-Star. His 464 home runs ranked 37th all time, and he went to the postseason seven times. Cruz was at his best during the 2011 American League Championship Series against the Tigers, going 8-for-22 (.364) with six home runs and 13 RBIs and earning the series MVP nod.

Cruz came close to winning the World Series in 2011. In Game 6, the Rangers were one out away from winning it all but ended up losing to the Cardinals in seven games. Twelve years later, Cruz is happy the Rangers won their first title by beating the D-backs in five games.

“I’m very excited for the Rangers,” Cruz said. “I identify myself with the Rangers, with the fanbase in Texas. All love on both sides. I was excited for them to win the whole thing.”

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Cruz’s presence was also felt off the Major League field when he won the 2021 Roberto Clemente Award and represented the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic four times.

Besides being with his family a lot more, Cruz plans to focus on his Boomstick23 Foundation, which last year began construction on a education and technical center that will be stocked with computers to assist athletes in the Dominican Republic. Cruz wants kids to learn from the experiences he went through over the years.

“I always thank God for giving me the chance to play for so many years without major injuries. He gave me more than what I deserve. I will always thank him,” Cruz said. “Everything has an end. I don’t want to stay around just to stay around. I prepared the last few years for this moment. I thought it was the right decision.”