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 put De La Cruz in the MLB record books. It was De La Cruz’s 60th steal of the season. He also hit 21 home runs, making him the fifth player in MLB history to record 20 home runs and 60 stolen bases in a single season. He accomplished this 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 with one out in the inning.
He managed to equalize the score at 6-6 thanks to a defender’s choice.
De La Cruz, who was named an All-Star for the first time in his second MLB season, joins Ronald Acuña Jr., Eric Davis, Ricky Henderson and Joe Morgan in totaling 20 home runs and 60 stolen bases in a season. Acuña, 26, is a four-time All-Star and the reigning National League MVP. Davis is a two-time All-Star, and Henderson and Morgan are Hall of Famers.
Acuña was the last player to achieve that feat in 2023 during his MVP campaign. 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, while Morgan reached the 20/60 threshold twice, in 1973 and 1976.
New rules mean more stolen bases
There is one factor contributing to this rare feat being accomplished in consecutive seasons after a 22-year drought. The basepaths are now slightly shorter thanks to a 2023 rule change that increased the size of the bases to encourage base-stealing attempts. Pitchers are also limited to two pickoff attempts per plate appearance as part of a broader set of rule changes meant to liven up the game.
The effort is paying off, and speedy players like Acuña and De La Cruz are taking advantage. And De La Cruz has a legitimate chance to reach 70 stolen bases. The Reds have 35 games left after Wednesday, which gives De La Cruz plenty of time to increase his total.