Elly De La Cruz Joins Elite Company with Remarkable Stolen Base Achievement
Elly De La Cruz is making headlines yet again. The 22-year-old Reds shortstop, known for his electrifying speed and powerful hitting, etched his name alongside baseball legends on August 21 by securing his 60th stolen base of the season during a game in Toronto. This notable feat places him in the exclusive 20-60 club, an achievement that puts a spotlight on his multifaceted skill set.
A Season of Milestones
This season, De La Cruz has notched 21 home runs and 60 stolen bases, showcasing an exceptional combination of speed and power rarely seen in the sport. His offensive prowess hasn’t just turned heads; it’s solidified his spot at the top of the major leagues in stolen bases. What makes this achievement even more special is that De La Cruz hadn't successfully stolen a base since August 8th, making his latest swipe all the more exhilarating for fans and analysts alike.
Achieving at least 20 home runs and 60 stolen bases in a single season is a rare milestone in Major League Baseball (MLB). Only eight seasons in MLB history have featured a player reaching this benchmark, underscoring the rarity and significance of De La Cruz’s accomplishment.
Joining the Greats
To understand the gravity of what De La Cruz has achieved, one only needs to look at the other members of the 20-60 club: Rickey Henderson, Joe Morgan, and Ronald Acuña Jr. Each of these players not only excelled statistically but also left indelible marks on the game.
Rickey Henderson, a Hall of Famer, accomplished the 20-60 feat multiple times throughout his storied career. Known for his unparalleled base-stealing ability, Henderson set the gold standard that players like De La Cruz aspire to. Joe Morgan, another member of this elite group, redefined the second baseman position in the 1970s with his unique blend of power and speed.
Most recently, Ronald Acuña Jr. joined this club, showing that the combination of speed and power is still highly valued. Acuña Jr.'s MVP-winning 2023 season is another testament to the enduring importance of these skills in modern baseball.
The Rarity of the 20-60 Club
Of the eight seasons in MLB history that feature the 20-60 milestone, five were accomplished by Hall of Famers, further highlighting the exclusivity and prestige of this club. De La Cruz’s entry into this group underscores his potential for future greatness and positions him as a significant figure in the sport moving forward.
The rarity of such milestones makes each occurrence noteworthy. The last time the 80-steal mark was reached was in 1988 by Henderson and Vince Coleman, emphasizing how exceptional De La Cruz's stolen base tally truly is in the context of modern baseball.
As the 2024 season continues to unfold, all eyes will be on Elly De La Cruz to see what other remarkable achievements he can deliver. At just 22 years old, he has already accomplished feats that place him among the elite, and his future in baseball seems exceptionally bright.