Astro Star, Jose Cruz's batting achievements and excellent fielding led the Astros to many victories thru this decade.  Jose batting average hovered around .300 and he averaged around 30 stolen bases a year. Eight (8) years his slugging pct was over .400 and ten (10) years in a row Cruz's on base pct. was well over .300.  Playing in Houston's spacious ballpark and with the Astros being a poor hitting team, Cruz still managed to drive in an average of 70 runs a season.  In 1977, Jose Cruz batted .299, on base pct .373, slg pct .475, stole 44 bases, hit 31 doubles, 10 triples, 17 home runs and scored 87 runs, also 87 RBI's.  Cruz was the player that fans feared when he came to play against your home team; as he always seemed to get the hit when the Astros needed it or some how score the winning run. In 1978, Jose Cruz batted .315 with 34 two base hits, 9 triples and 10 homers; while stealing 37 bases. Stats do not do Jose Cruz justice, as he was one of the top players in the later 1970's. In 1979, he smashed 33 doubles, 7 triples, 9 homers and batted .289 with a slugging pct of .421 and swiped 36 bases.  We nod to you, Jose Cruz, for your outstanding all-around efforts throughout your baseball career , you were a first class ballplayer.