Cruz, who hit a major league-high 40 home runs in 2014, his only season with the Orioles, has helped his hometown of Las Matas de Santa Cruz in the Dominican Republic build a police station and a medical clinic, and acquire a fire truck and firefighting gear, as well as an ambulance.
Cruz, 39, cried and put his head in his hands before composing himself and saying, “From the bottom of my heart, my family, my foundation and my hometown, thank you.”
No red carpet, no nattily dressed athletes, no house band or monologue poking fun at the past year’s top athletes and moments.