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Watch: Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz hits grand slam on bobblehead night
Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz was honored with his own bobblehead on Saturday night, and he marked the occasion in the best way imaginable.
In the bottom of the third against the Pittsburgh Pirates, De La Cruz hit a grand slam, giving the Reds a 4-0 lead.
ELLY DE LA CRUZ GRAND SLAM ON HIS BOBBLEHEAD NIGHT?
— MLB (@MLB) April 12, 2025
*bobbles head yes* pic.twitter.com/5Q0zEGBQF5
De La Cruz drilled the 89 mph full-count four-seam fastball 388 yards to left field for his third home run of the season and second grand slam of his young career.
The 2024 All-Star made his MLB debut on June 6, 2023, and he hit his first grand slam last September in Minnesota against the Twins. (h/t Stathead)
Early this season, De La Cruz capitalized on his plate appearances with the bases loaded, going 4-for-4 with three extra-base hits and 10 runs batted in.
Per Baseball Savant, De La Cruz's grand slam had an exit velocity of 107.8 mph and would have been a home run in all 30 major league ballparks.
It just so happened to come in the one holding a De La Cruz bobblehead night.
Video posted to social media showed massive lines of fans waiting to purchase the prized De La Cruz bobblehead, which might have become even more valuable with his grand slam.
A site that needs to be seen to be believed - the crowd entering GABP as gates open on Elly De La Cruz bobble head night pic.twitter.com/BrUY0yj2xN
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) April 12, 2025
Elly De La Cruz switch-hitter bobblehead giveaway is on SATURDAY (while supplies last)
— Sara Elyse (@SaraElyse128) April 11, 2025
Get there early! Gates are at 5:10 pm! pic.twitter.com/uMc8mXe3WH
Teams might want to load their schedules with bobblehead giveaways. It's becoming something of a good luck charm.
In early April, Dodgers designated hitter and three-time MVP Shohei Ohtani hit a walk-off home run the same night the team gave fans Ohtani bobblehead figurines.
SHOHEI OHTANI WALK-OFF HOMER ON HIS BOBBLHEAD NIGHT???
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) April 3, 2025
ARE. YOU. SERIOUS.
pic.twitter.com/4Z0JMUTnUv
On Friday, Dodgers first baseman returned from a stint on the injured list (sprained ankle) in time for his own bobblehead celebration.
More must-reads:
- Reds getting key piece of their rotation back amid series vs. their bitter rivals
- Apple TV made embarrassing Andrew McCutchen mistake during Pirates broadcast
- The '2024 MLB extra base hits leaders' quiz
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