[1] De la Cruz is one of many ballplayers who only appeared in the major leagues during World War II.

For the year he was 9–9 with a 3.25 earned run average, and finished in the league's top ten in four important pitching categories, including WHIP (1.124).

During the winter, de la Cruz was called up for U.S. military service, but instead enlisted in the Cuban army.

With reports that he would not be permitted to return to the United States until after the war, he decided to play in the Mexican League.

[5] In his native Cuba, de la Cruz pitched in the winter Cuban League from 1934/35 to 1946/47, with a career record of 71–78.