On Sunday, June 1, Cincinnati Reds star Elly De La Cruz showed the world just how deep love and grief can go, and he did it in the most powerful way he knew: by knocking out one of the most unforgettable home runs of his life.
Just 23 years old, Elly had just lost his older sister, Genelis, the day before. But instead of sitting out the game against the Chicago Cubs, he told his team he wanted to play. Reds manager Terry Francona said the entire team had his back, telling Elly, “Whatever you need, we’re here for you.”
Elly De La Cruz’s tribute to his sisters made our hearts weep!
When he stepped onto the field, it was clear this game meant more than just baseball. Elly had his sister’s name written on his cap and a tribute on his shoe that read “RIP Manita,” a sweet Spanish slang word meaning “sister.” Before his first at-bat, he paused, took a breath, and gathered himself. Then he hit a clean single into right field, kicking off what would become an emotional and unforgettable performance. This wasn’t just a game. For Elly, it was a love letter to his sister.
Then came the sixth inning, and a moment no one watching will ever forget.
Elly De La Cruz stepped up to the plate, and with all his emotions fueling him, he crushed the ball out to right field. It wasn’t just a regular home run, it was an absolute rocket. As he ran the bases, he gently patted his chest, clearly playing with his heart wide open. When he reached home plate, he looked up to the sky and formed a heart with his hands, silently sending love to his sister, Genelis.
Cubs pitcher James Taillon summed it up best: “He hit it like 150 million miles per hour through the wind.”
De La Cruz, who’s already considered one of baseball’s brightest stars, ended the game with two RBIs, a walk, and that emotional homer, the 50th of his young career. But this one wasn’t just another stat. It came less than a day after he found out his sister had passed away back home in the Dominican Republic.
This wasn’t just a home run, it was a heartbreak turned into a tribute.
What happened to Elly De La Cruz’s sister
Local news sources, along with big outlets like MLB.com, the Associated Press, and Sports Illustrated, confirmed that Elly De La Cruz’s older sister, Genelis, passed away on Saturday, just one day before his unforgettable game. While the exact cause of her death hasn’t been made public, reports say she had been struggling with health issues for quite some time.
Genelis wasn’t just Elly’s sister, she was a mother of two and one of his eight older siblings. Yes, eight. Elly comes from a big, tight-knit family in the Dominican Republic, and losing someone so close, especially someone who helped shape your life, isn’t something you just bounce back from. The pain is heavy, and yet, there he was, suiting up and stepping onto the field the very next day.
After the game, Reds manager Terry Francona, who’s been around the sport for decades, didn’t hold back his admiration for the young shortstop. “Elly takes so much pride in being available,” he said. And he wasn’t talking about just showing up physically, he meant showing up with a full heart, full spirit, and the same fire he always brings, even when he’s grieving.
“For a kid that young, it’s an admirable trait,” Francona added, clearly moved by what he’d seen. He pointed out how rare and mature it is for someone just 23 years old to carry that kind of emotional strength, to channel such deep pain into something meaningful, and to still put his team first.
Then Francona got real. He reminded everyone watching that yes, baseball is a game. It’s competitive, it’s high-stakes, and people care a lot about the wins. But sometimes, life steps in and reminds you what really matters.
“We care so much about playing a game and winning,” Francona said. “But in a hurry, you’re reminded of what’s really important.” And that day, what mattered most wasn’t the score. It was the young man on the field, quietly carrying a heavy heart, doing what he loved for someone he loved.
The team, Francona said, was watching over Elly all day, “keeping their heads on a swivel,” just making sure he was okay, offering silent support through every inning. Because at the end of the day, they weren’t just teammates. They were a family, too.
