Cincinnati Reds star shortstop Elly De La Cruz paid tribute to his late sister after hitting a two-run home run against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. The emotional moment followed the passing of his sister, Genelis, who died the day before the game. De La Cruz crossed the plate twice in the Reds’ 7-3 loss to the Cubs, with his home run coming off Cubs pitcher Jameson Taillon in the top of the sixth inning.
Francona shared that De La Cruz wanted to play despite the emotional weight of his sister’s death, highlighting his dedication to the game. He noted that De La Cruz’s commitment mirrors that of other athletes who have faced personal tragedies, such as Carlos Santana. Francona also emphasized that such moments remind the team of the importance of caring for one another during difficult times.
De La Cruz’s homer was accompanied by a heartfelt gesture as he pointed to the sky and made a heart with his hands, symbolizing his connection to his sister. The Reds did not provide further details about Genelis’s death, citing the player’s wishes, and De La Cruz declined media interviews after the game. The Dominican Republic’s Z101 Digital reported that Genelis had been battling health issues before her passing.
While De La Cruz’s performance highlighted his resilience and emotional strength, the Reds struggled offensively, falling to 29-31 on the season with the loss to the Cubs. His .258 batting average and .786 OPS for the season reflect his contributions to the team, though the game saw a bittersweet moment for the player and his family.