LOOK: Terry Francona Reacts to Elly De La Cruz's Double Steal to Score a Run

This may not be the first time we see this from the Reds star this season.

Mar 4, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz steals second base ahead of the tag by Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Tommy Edman during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

CINCINNATI -- Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz has incredible speed. That much is known. So much so that it may become common for him to try advance two bases when attempting to just steal one.

That was the case Tuesday in the Reds 8-5 win over the Colorado Rockies, when De La Cruz stole third base on Reds double steal attempt.

When Rockies catcher Drew Romo threw down to second base to try and throw out Reds designated hitter Austin Hays trying to steal second, De La Cruz kept running through third to eventually score all the way from second base.

Terry Francona has been in Major League Baseball since 1981, and he said De La Cruz's baserunning Tuesday is something he had never seen before.

“You know [how] they say you may see something when you come to a game you never seen before? I’ve never seen that,” Francona told MLB.com. “When he left third I’m like ‘no no no no … good play.’ I mean that’s as athletic and instinctual I think as you’re ever gonna see. Goodness sakes. That was incredible.”

De La Cruz's baserunning is already reminiscent of some of the greatest base stealers in Major League Baseball history.

He is one of three players since 1900 (Modern Era) to have 100+ steals in their first two seasons. Vince Coleman and Rickey Henderson are the other two players to reach that mark.

In addition, De La Cruz is the first shortstop in MLB history with 25+ home runs and 65+ stolen bases in the same season and is the fastest MLB player (251 games) to reach 100+ extra base hits and 100+ stolen bases.

De La Cruz led Major League Baseball with 67 stolen bases in 2024.

You can read the full article on Francona's reaction here.

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