Reds’ Elly De La Cruz Makes History with 60th Stolen Base
In a thrilling game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz stole third base in the fifth inning, securing his spot in the MLB record books. The 60th stolen base of the season is a remarkable feat, especially considering it’s De La Cruz’s second year in the league.
De La Cruz’s impressive performance didn’t stop there. He also has 21 home runs, making him the fifth player in MLB history to record 20 home runs and 60 stolen bases in a season. This achievement is even more remarkable given his young age and short time in the league.
The milestone steal came on a low pitch from Blue Jays reliever Brendon Little to Tyler Stephenson, with Toronto leading 6-5 and one out in the inning. De La Cruz came around to tie the game 6-6 on a fielder’s choice, and the Reds went on to win 11-7.
De La Cruz joins an elite group of players who have achieved this rare feat, including Ronald Acuña Jr., Eric Davis, Rickey Henderson, and Joe Morgan. Acuña, 26, is a four-time All-Star and the reigning NL MVP, while Davis was a two-time All-Star and Henderson and Morgan are in the Hall of Fame.
A contributing factor to De La Cruz’s success is the new rule change that increased the size of the bases to encourage stolen base attempts. Pitchers are also limited to two pick-off attempts per plate appearance, which has led to an increase in stolen base attempts.
De La Cruz has a legitimate shot at reaching 70 stolen bases, with the Reds having 35 games remaining after Wednesday. He will have ample time to add to his total and potentially break the record.
This exciting development in the world of baseball is a testament to the talent and skill of players like De La Cruz. As the season continues, fans will be eagerly watching to see if he can reach even greater heights.
