Imagine if Cruz last year also stole 17 bases, caught only 6 times, and played a stellar right field with incredible range and a canon arm. Then we'd have had ALL of Hank Aaron in 1967, not just his bat. But then, Mr. Mayor knew that. This public service announcement provided for those who didn't.
Read a biography of Aaron when I was a kid. It told how as a kid himself he got those incredibly strong wrists and forearms hauling large blocks of ice around the neighborhoods to help his parents provide for the family. Umm, that'll do it.
I'm convinced Cruz isn't totally healthy right now. To me he has looked pained at the plate over the last few weeks, like it's a mild ordeal for him. That neck strain couldn't have helped. My guess is, he's healthy enough to play but not to produce at his optimal level.