Elly De La Cruz Joins Elite Company with Milestone 60th Stolen Base
Elly De La Cruz, the dynamic 22-year-old shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds, has cemented his place in baseball history by stealing his 60th base of the season during a recent game in Toronto. This remarkable achievement places him among the elite few who have combined formidable power with extraordinary speed.
De La Cruz, widely recognized for his electrifying talent on the field, leads the majors in stolen bases this season. His 60th successful attempt came on August 21, breaking a period of dry spell since August 8. The young shortstop has also shown his prowess at the plate, having hit 21 home runs so far in the 2024 season.
The rare combination of at least 20 home runs and 60 stolen bases in a single season has only been accomplished eight times in Major League Baseball history. This exclusive club includes the likes of Hall of Famers Rickey Henderson and Joe Morgan, as well as modern-day superstar Ronald Acuña Jr.
Henderson, a legendary figure known for his multiple 20-60 seasons, set a benchmark for future generations with his unparalleled speed and skill. Joe Morgan, who redefined the second baseman position during the 1970s, was another trailblazing talent whose blend of power and speed made him an MVP in 1976. Ronald Acuña Jr., the most recent inductee into the 20-60 club before De La Cruz, solidified his status as one of baseball’s brightest stars with his MVP performance in 2023.
Interestingly, five of the eight 20-60 seasons have been achieved by players who have earned a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame. This emphasizes the extraordinary nature of De La Cruz's accomplishment, suggesting a bright future for the young slugger if he continues on his current trajectory.
Moreover, the milestone is a testament to De La Cruz's endurance and consistency over the course of the season. Successfully stealing 60 bases is no small feat and harkens back to an era of baseball when stolen bases were a more prominent part of the game. The last time the 80-steal mark was reached was in 1988 by Rickey Henderson and Vince Coleman, further underscoring the difficulty and rarity of such achievements in modern baseball.
While De La Cruz’s season isn't over, his current statistics already paint a picture of a player who is both versatile and relentlessly competitive. For Reds fans and baseball enthusiasts alike, watching this young athlete develop has been nothing short of thrilling.
As De La Cruz continues to break new ground, he not only brings excitement to the Reds' lineup but also rekindles memories of the greats who came before him. The 20-60 club he now belongs to is a potent reminder of the blend of speed and power that has captivated baseball fans for generations.
With numerous accolades at just 22 years old, Elly De La Cruz's future in Major League Baseball looks promising. Whether he can continue this pace and perhaps even aim for higher milestones remains to be seen, but his journey thus far is already one for the books.
In a season filled with outstanding performances and historical milestones, De La Cruz has firmly established himself as a player to watch, not just for what he achieves today, but for the legacy he's building for the future.