Additional Coverage:
- Elly De La Cruz joins elite list that includes Ronald Acuña Jr., Rickey Henderson with 60th stolen base (newsbreak.com)
Elly De La Cruz, the shortstop for the Reds, has reasserted his dominance in base stealing across Major League Baseball. Despite a recent slowdown in stolen bases, having not successfully stolen a base since August 8, De La Cruz snapped his dry spell in a recent game on a Wednesday in Toronto by stealing his 60th base of the year.
This significant steal not only underscores De La Cruz’s speed but also places him in the elite 20-60 club—a group of players who have hit at least 20 home runs and stolen 60 bases in a single season. This club, while not as renowned as the 40-40 club, is nonetheless prestigious and boasts several notable players.
Alongside De La Cruz in the 20-60 club, the list includes Ronald Acuña Jr. (2023), Rickey Henderson (three times in 1985, 1986, and 1990), Eric Davis (1987), and Joe Morgan (twice in 1973 and 1976).
Interestingly, this achievement marks the fourth instance a player from the Reds has made this list, with three of the five members being from the team. The list equally highlights the presence of three MVPs: Morgan in ’76, Henderson in ’90, and Acuña. Additionally, five of the eight distinguished seasons were recorded by players who are now in the Hall of Fame.
At just 22 years old and it being only August 21, De La Cruz, despite his recent slowdown, still posits a chance to reach 80 stolen bases for the season—a feat last achieved in 1988 by legends Rickey Henderson and Vince Coleman.