Elly De La Cruz’s Emotional Tribute to Late Sister Shines Through in Reds’ 7–3 Defeat to Cubs

Sunday’s matchup between the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago Cubs ended in a 7–3 loss for the home team, but the scoreboard told only part of the story. The real headline came in the third inning, when Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz hit a powerful home run while mourning the tragic loss of his sister.

De La Cruz, a rising star in MLB with a flair for the spectacular, played despite receiving heartbreaking news earlier in the day: his younger sister had died unexpectedly in the Dominican Republic. With raw emotion driving him, De La Cruz turned his pain into power.

In the third inning, facing a 2-1 pitch, De La Cruz launched a deep drive into the right-center seats — his 11th homer of the season. As he rounded the bases, the weight of grief was written across his face. He pointed skyward at home plate in a silent message to his sister, then briefly covered his face, overwhelmed by emotion. His teammates gathered around him, offering quiet support during a moment that transcended baseball.

While the Reds couldn’t turn the emotional spark into a win, De La Cruz’s gesture stood as the defining moment of the game. The Cubs rode a strong performance from pitcher Javier Assad, who gave up just one run in five innings, and a key three-run homer by Seiya Suzuki that gave Chicago control late in the game.

The loss kept the Reds struggling in the standings, but their focus postgame was not on their record. Instead, all eyes were on their grieving teammate. De La Cruz spoke briefly after the game through a translator: “I played with my sister in my heart. That was for her.”

His words were few, but the meaning was unmistakable. Inside the Reds’ locker room, there was a quiet reverence. Players respected the pain De La Cruz carried and admired his strength. Many wore black armbands in support, and the club is expected to hold a moment of silence at their next game.

De La Cruz will soon return to the Dominican Republic to be with family. The Reds organization is giving him all the time he needs to grieve and heal.

In a sport where statistics often dominate headlines, Sunday served as a powerful reminder that baseball is also a stage for human expression. De La Cruz’s unforgettable home run — hit through pain and love — was a tribute far more powerful than any scoreboard could display.