Watch: Reds' De La Cruz blasts HR in first game since sister's death

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) is greeted in the dugout after hitting two-run home run against the Chicago Cubs during the sixth inning at Wrigley Field. David Banks-Imagn Images

Watch: Reds' Elly De La Cruz blasts HR in first game since sister's death

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jun 1, 2025 5:48 PM ET

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz gave his sister a touching tribute after learning she had died on Saturday.

Hector Gomez of Z101 Digital in the Dominican Republic reported Genelis De La Cruz's death (h/t James Rapien of Cincinnati Reds on SI). She was reportedly suffering from ongoing health problems.

"We just told him we'll support whatever he needs to do," Reds manager Terry Francona said before Sunday's road game against the Chicago Cubs, via Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. "He wants to play today, and then we'll go from there."

Elly De La Cruz chose to play today after recently learning about the death of his sister.

He then hit this home run and pointed to the sky and made a heart gesture. pic.twitter.com/gGK1ukAWhC
— MLB (@MLB) June 1, 2025

In the top of the sixth inning, Elly De La Cruz crushed a 92 mph four-seam fastball from Cubs starting pitcher Jameson Taillon for a two-run home run, cutting Chicago's lead to 5-2. According to Statcast, the exit velocity on Elly De La Cruz's homer was a staggering 117.4 mph.

While he rounded the bases, he pointed toward the sky and made a heart gesture. It's safe to assume that his home run against Chicago will hold a special place in the 23-year-old's heart.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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