Reds’ Elly De La Cruz joins 60-steal, 20-homer club
Aug 21, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Leo Jimenez (49) takes a throw from the outfield before tagging out Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) who tried to stretch a single into a double in the fourth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports Cincinnati shortstop Elly De La Cruz made history when he stole third base in the fifth inning Wednesday in the Reds’ road game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The theft was the 60th of the season for De La Cruz, who became the fifth player since 1901 to have at least 60 steals and 20 homers in a season. De La Cruz has 21 home runs.
De La Cruz, 22, reached the milestone when he swiped third base in the fifth inning. He subsequently scored the game-tying run.
He joins two former Reds stars on the list: Joe Morgan (26 homers, 67 steals in 1973; 27 and 60 in 1976) and Eric Davis (27 and 80 in 1986).
Rickey Henderson accomplished the feat three times: 24 and 80 with the 1985 New York Yankees; 28 and 87 with the 1986 Yankees; and 28 and 65 with the 1990 Oakland A’s.
Before De La Cruz, the latest to make the list was the Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr., who had 41 homers and 73 stolen bases last year.
–Field Level Media
