Cincinnati Reds Rookie Elly De La Cruz Stands Alongside Barry Bonds in Baseball History

With a home run on Sunday, Cincinnati Reds rookie Elly De La Cruz is doing something we haven't seen since Barry Bonds did it.

The Cincinnati Reds beat the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday, 7-5. The win was critical for the Reds, who have now won five in a row. 

They pulled within 0.5 games of the first-place Milwaukee Brewers with the victory as the National League Central continues to be one of the most competitive divisions in baseball.

The Reds got multi-hit efforts from five different players in the win, but they also got a historic home run from rookie superstar Elly De La Cruz.

He hit a leadoff home run, which made some Reds team history, but he also joined one of the best players ever in outright baseball history.

Per ESPN Stats & Info:

Elly De La Cruz recorded his 5th HR on Sunday. 

He tied Barry Bonds in 1986 for the 2nd-fewest games needed to reach 5 HR and 15 stolen bases since 1900, reaching the mark in his 40th career game. 

Gary Redus did it in 27 games in 1982-83.

Elly De La Cruz recorded his 5th HR on Sunday.

He tied Barry Bonds in 1986 for the 2nd-fewest games needed to reach 5 HR and 15 stolen bases since 1900, reaching the mark in his 40th career game.

Gary Redus did it in 27 games in 1982-83. pic.twitter.com/jZjhv6zkZ2

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 23, 2023

It's difficult to come in as a young player and make an impact and De La Cruz has instantly done it. The Reds hot streak and rise to prominence in the playoff race has coincided with his call-up at the beginning of June.

He's now hitting .273 on the year with those five home runs, 17 RBI and 17 stolen bases.

Bonds is one of the most prolific hitters in baseball history, so any time that you are able to be linked with him in a statistical record, you've done something right.

Bonds hit a major league best 762 career home runs and drove in 1,996. He also stole 514 bases, was a 14-time All-Star, an eight-time Gold Glover and a seven-time MVP.

The Reds open up a massive series with the Brewers on Monday night. First pitch is 8:10 p.m. ET.

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