Reds Rookie Elly De La Cruz Steals Second, Third, and Home in Win Over Brewers

When Cincinnati Reds rookie sensation Elly De La Cruz is on the basepaths, you better pay attention if you are an opposing pitcher. In Cincinnati’s July 8th game at Milwaukee, the 21 year old singled in the seventh inning off reliever Elvis Peguero. Then he stole 2nd base. He followed that up by stealing third. Then with Peguero not paying attention, De La Cruz stole home. The Reds, in first place in the N.L. Central, went on to win 8-5, increasing their lead over second place Milwaukee to two games.

There have been 54 previous times that a major league player has stolen second, third, and home in the same game. The most recent was Jon Berti of the Miami Marlins, who did it in 2020. The last Reds player to do it was way back in 1919, when Earl “Greasy” Neale did it in 1919. Hall of Famers Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner hold the record for most times accomplishing the feat; both did it four times.

Going back to Neale for a moment, the West Virginia native was quite an athlete and coach. Besides playing major league baseball for the Reds and Philadelphia Phillies, Neale played pre-NFL professional football. He coached college football, basketball, and baseball. He was the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL from 1941-1950, compiling as 63-43-5 regular season record. His Eagles won the NFL championship in 1948 and 1949. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1967, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969.