Todd Cruz, at 52; infielder played on the 1983 Orioles

Todd Cruz broke into the major leagues with Philadelphia in 1978. He played for five other teams, batting .220 in 544 games. (Associated press)

BALTIMORE - Todd Cruz, an infielder with the 1983 world champion Baltimore Orioles, has died. He was 52.

Mr. Cruz died Tuesday while swimming at the apartment complex in which he lived in Bullhead City, Ariz.

An autopsy is being conducted to determine the cause of death. The medical examiner said it would take about two weeks.

Mr. Cruz played with six major league teams from 1978 to 1984. He broke into the big leagues with the Philadelphia Phillies, and then played with Kansas City, the California Angels, and for the Chicago White Sox from 1979-80.

He did not play in the majors in 1981, but the following season he was in 136 games with Seattle.

He was traded by the Mariners to the Orioles in the middle of the 1983 season and batted .208 as Baltimore's third baseman. In the World Series against Philadelphia, won in five games by the Orioles, Mr. Cruz went 2-for-16 and scored a run.

He served as a utility infielder with the Orioles in 1984, his final major league season.

He also pitched in a game, throwing a scoreless inning against New York in a 10-2 loss on Sept. 18.

Mr. Cruz had a lifetime .220 batting average in 544 games. He had 336 hits, including 34 home runs, and finished with 154 RBIs.

His most active season was 1983, when he played in 65 games for Seattle and 81 with Baltimore. He finished with a .199 batting average that year.

Bullhead City Fire Department spokesman Larry Tunforss said bystanders pulled Mr. Cruz from the pool and were performing CPR when three city paramedics arrived.

They took over life-saving efforts and transported him to a hospital.

Mr. Cruz leaves a sister, Sharon Maceri, and two sons, Thaddeus and Dario.