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Kovacevic: Cruz's progress can't be linear, and he'll have to punch back

DENVER -- Oneil Cruz's hands are so huge they could qualify for their own ZIP codes.

His physical presence can come across that way, as well, even beyond the 6-7 stature, the record-shattering velocities and all that fun, freak-show fodder. He's got a bit of an aura to him. An awareness of the many talents he's got that others don't. And within that, a palpable appreciation of the expectations that follow, both from himself and those around him.

That's my sense, anyway, from a couple years now of observing and communicating with him.