It was a quiet afternoon at Wrigley Field. The Elly De La Cruz Day of Loss Cincinnati Reds had already been outplayed in two games of their series against the Chicago Cubs. Sunday’s game didn’t offer much hope either — a 7-3 loss that felt like just another tough day on the road.
But amid the disappointment, one moment stood out — not because of its flash or drama, but because of what it represented.
In his third at-bat of the game, Elly De La Cruz lined a solo home run just inside the right-field foul pole. It wasn’t just any home run — it was the 50th of his young career, placing him among the youngest players in Reds history to reach that milestone.
What most fans didn’t know at the time? He was playing through unimaginable grief.
A Private Pain Made Public Through Action
Before the game, De La Cruz learned that his older sister, Genelis De La Cruz Sánchez , had passed away. She was a mother of two and a central figure in his life. Her death came after a long battle with health issues.
Despite the heartbreak, Elly insisted on playing.
He wore his emotions silently but visibly — writing “RIP Genelis” next to a heart on his cap, and scrawling messages on both shoes, including “RIP Manita,” a nickname for his late sister.
As he crossed home plate after the homer, he pointed to his heart, then raised his hand to the sky.
It was a gesture that spoke louder than words.
Teammates Took Notice — Even If They Didn’t Know the Full Story
Few teammates knew what Elly was going through until after the game. Shortstop Matt McLain described his performance as “very impressive,” but wouldn’t elaborate further — out of respect.
Manager Terry Francona, who has seen countless moments in baseball, was clearly moved by De La Cruz’s decision to play.
“He takes so much pride in being available,” Francona said. “For a kid that’s that young, that’s an admirable trait.”
Francona added that the team gave Elly space and support, telling reporters:
“We told him we’ll support whatever he needs to do.”
On the Field: A Performance That Meant More Than Stats
De La Cruz finished the game 2-for-3 with a walk and a hard-hit ball that was knocked down by the wind. His home run accounted for the only run the Reds scored over the final 21 innings of the series.
The emotional weight behind that swing made it unforgettable.
Nick Martinez, the Reds’ starting pitcher that day, put it simply:
“Man, that’s tough. He’s our guy.”
Looking Ahead
There’s no playbook for how to handle grief — especially not while playing under the bright lights of Major League Baseball.
As the Reds packed up to head home after the series, there was talk of possibly placing Elly on the bereavement list. But for now, the focus remains on supporting him however he needs.
Whatever comes next, one thing is clear: Elly De La Cruz showed incredible strength on a day that tested him like never before.
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