Santana heart-felt in letter

Carlos Santana, part of the Indians organization since 2008, signed a three-year, $60 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies last week.

Santana wrote a letter to Tribe fans on Dec. 20 on MLB.com.

“This process has been one of the most difficult I have had to experience,” he wrote. “It’s not easy not knowing what the future holds. I cried once it sunk in that I would no longer be suiting up for and living in the City of Cleveland.

“All I have known is Cleveland. I loved my time in Cleveland. I became a big leaguer in Cleveland. I became a man, a husband, and a father.

“I bought and maintained my first home in Cleveland. We went from losing to winning. I built friendships that I will have for the rest of my life. I fell in love with Cleveland. Thank you for loving me back. Words cannot describe how much I will miss you Cleveland. Believe me, I will miss you all.”

Santana continued the letter by saying he will ”always leave a piece of my heart in Cleveland. I tried to give it my all during these years and I hope you will remember me for being a good Clevelander and teammate.”

Santana said he wishes the best for the Indians organization, and thanked the ball club for taking care of him and his family. “You meant more to me than you will ever know,” he wrote.

Santana played in 1,116 games with the Indians, first as a catcher, then as a third baseman and then as a first baseman. He just missed 1,000 hits, collecting 995 in a Major League career that began in Cleveland in 2010.

Santana scored 573 runs, homered 174 times and drove in 587 runs. He walked 726 times.