Crystl Bustos

Who is Crystl Bustos?

Crystl "The Big Bruiser" Bustos is an American softball player at the designated hitter or third base position although on the roster she is a designated player. She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist. She holds the world record for home runs during an Olympic series, with six.

Bustos, a Mexican American, was born in Canyon Country, California. She began her career playing softball at Canyon Country Little League. She is a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic softball team, which won the silver medal after losing to Japan in the gold-medal game, the first loss for the U.S. women in 23 straight Olympic games. Her accomplishments also include two World Cup Championships, three Pan American gold medals, and a gold medal at the 2006 ISF World Championships. She has also played for the NPF Akron Racers, and was the Most Valuable Player in the WPSL for the Orlando Wahoos in 1998.

Bustos announced that she would retire from international competition after the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Bustos was named 2008 USA Softball Player of the Year. She became the field manager for the Akron Racers in October 2009, but elected to return to the playing field for the Racers in 2010.