HOUSTON, TX —The Houston Astros have named Jose Cruz as a Special Assistant to the General Manager/Community Outreach Executive, General Manager Ed Wade announced today.

In his new role, Cruz’s duties will include being a part of the Astros Major League Spring Training staff, visiting minor league affiliates and providing input on the Astros Latin American operations. During regular season home games, Cruz will be with Wade and other members of his staff in the General Manager’s box to join in those discussions on baseball operations.

“Cheo will be terrific in his new role,” Wade said. “He’s an Astros icon and he will be able to have a great impact both inside and outside the organization. Cheo will have a voice in our baseball operations and will also be a face of the franchise out in the community.”

“I’m happy that everything is set,” Cruz said. “I’m an Astro all the way, so I’m very happy. It’s a new role for me and I’m looking forward to it. It should be exciting.“

In Cruz’ s role as Community Outreach Executive, part of his duties will include working with Rosi Hernandez, the Astros Vice President, Market Development. “ We’re looking forward to working with Cheo as we continue to grow the Astros fan base in Houston and the surrounding markets,” Hernandez said. “Having such an Astros icon will help us greatly in our multicultural efforts in the Hispanic market as well as at outreach events.”

Cruz will also work with the Astros In Action Foundation as well as the Community Affairs department.

The 62-year-old Cruz has been a member of the Astros organization as both a player and coach for 26 seasons, 13 as a player (1975-87) and 13 as a coach (1997-2009). When the two-time All-Star retired as a player, he was the franchise leader in games played with 1,870 and remains in the top 10 in several categories. On October 3, 1992, his jersey number 25 was retired by the Astros.