In the fifth inning of Wednesday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz stole third base.
The steal secured De La Cruz a spot in the MLB record books. It was his 60th steal of the season. He also has 21 home runs, making him just the fifth player in MLB history to record 20 home runs and 60 stolen bases in a season. He secured the feat in just his second MLB season.
De La Cruz made the historic steal on a low pitch from Blue Jays reliever Brendon Little to Tyler Stephenson with Toronto leading 6-5 and one out in the inning.
He tied the game 6-6 on a fielder’s choice. The Reds won 11-7.
De La Cruz, who was selected to the All-Star Game for the first time in his second MLB season, joins Ronald Acuña Jr., Eric Davis, Rickey Henderson and Joe Morgan in recording 20 home runs and 60 stolen bases in a season. Acuña, 26, is a four-time All-Star and the reigning NL MVP. Davis is a two-time All-Star, and Henderson and Morgan are in the Hall of Famers.
Acuña accomplished the feat during his MVP campaign in 2023. Before that, Henderson was the last player to reach the 20/60 threshold in 1990. He also reached the milestone in 1985 and 1986. Davis also did it in 1986, and Morgan hit 20/60 in 1973 and 1976.
New rules mean more stolen bases
There is one contributing factor to this rare feat being accomplished in consecutive seasons after a 32-year drought. The bases are slightly shorter now, thanks to a 2023 rule change that increased base sizes to encourage base-stealing attempts. Pitchers are also limited to two pick-off attempts per plate appearance as part of a broader set of rule changes intended to liven up the game.
The effort is paying off, and speedsters like Acuña and De La Cruz are taking advantage of it. And De La Cruz has a legitimate shot at reaching 70 stolen bases. The Reds have 35 games remaining after Wednesday, leaving De La Cruz plenty of time to add to his total.