In just his second major league season, 22-year-old Elly De La Cruz has continued to make history and do things MLB fans have not seen before. On Monday, De La Cruz made more history and gave back to a young Reds fan while doing so.
During Monday’s game against the Miami Marlins, the young Dominican went 4-for-5 with four extra-base hits. With this mark, he became the youngest Cincinnati Reds player to accomplish this feat since at least 1901. His four extra-base hits included two doubles and two home runs. With the two home runs, De La Cruz took his total to 20 on the season and became the third Red to hit 20 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season. He joined Reds legends Joe Morgan and Eric Davis in this exclusive group. De La Cruz is the 14th player in AL/NL history since 1901 to have a 20/50 season.
De La Cruz quickly became a star in his first full season with the Reds. He has dazzled fans with his play on the field and showcased his unique personality, making him a fan favorite across the league at just 22.
During Monday’s historic game, De La Cruz gave one Reds Fan a memory that will last forever. According to the Reds, De La Cruz heard a young fan tell him to hit a home run before each time he went deep. As De La Cruz stepped on home plate after the second homer, he appeared to point toward the young fan and smile. After the game, he sought out the young fan and gave him a special gift. Autograph seekers watched as the young All-Star signed his bat and gave it to the Reds fan.
Elly De La Cruz said before each home run, a kid in the stands told him to hit a HR both times… so Elly gave him a signed bat after the game ❤️ pic.twitter.com/70BuMzRB3r
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) August 6, 2024
De La Cruz gave this fan a special moment and showed why fans quickly fell in love with the Dominican-born star. As his second season is close to an end, MLB fans can expect more history to be broken from De La Cruz as his career rolls on.
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WBN MLB: https://worldbaseball.com/league/mlb/
Photo Credit: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds bows to the Marlins dugout while rounding the bases after hitting a home run against the Miami Marlins during the eighth inning at loanDepot park on August 05, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
