Elly De La Cruz Hits Emotional Home Run After Learning About Sister Genelis' Death

Published: June 2, 2025

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz paid tribute to his older sister, Genelis, in the most emotional and memorable way possible on Sunday, June 1, during a game against the Chicago Cubs.

According to media reports, Genelis died on Saturday, May 31, after an extended battle with her health. Her cause of death was not made clear in the reports.

De La Cruz, 23, insisted on playing Sunday's game, and his manager, Terry Francona, allowed him to do so. De La Cruz took the field with his sister's name etched into his hat and "RIP Manita" written on his right shoe, using the Spanish slang word for "sister."

In the sixth inning, De La Cruz sent a rocket flying out to right field and patted his chest as he rounded the bases. When the shortstop approached home, he pointed to the sky and made a heart symbol with his hands as he stepped on the plate.

"He hit it like 150 million miles per hour through the wind," Cubs pitcher James Taillon said about the emotionally charged home run.

De La Cruz finished the game with two RBIs on two hits and a walk. The sixth-inning home run was the 50th of his career and perhaps one of his most cherished, coming less than 24 hours after learning about his sister's death in the Dominican Republic.

Genelis, a mother of two, is one of Elly's eight older siblings, according to The New York Times.

Francona told reporters after the game that De La Cruz "takes so much pride in being available" for the team and noted how that was on display Sunday. "For a kid that's that young, that's an admirable trait," the veteran MLB manager said, recognizing the gravity of De La Cruz's situation.

"We care so much about playing a game and winning, but in a hurry you're reminded of what's really important," Francona added, according to the AP.