Reds Fan Explains Decision to Return Elly De La Cruz’s First Home Run Ball

The fan was more than happy to return it. Here’s why.

In a 458-foot blast, rising star Elly De La Cruz hit his first career home run with the Reds on Wednesday night as part of the team’s 8–6 win over the Dodgers.

The 21-year-old top prospect sent the ball traveling out of the park at 114.8 miles per hour into the right field seats. The ball was caught by Reds fan Alex French, who after the game elected to return the famed home run ball to De La Cruz.

“I just want to do the right thing. I want him to have it,” French told Olivia Ray of WLWT in Cincinnati.

Can confirm that Elly De La Cruz’s home run ball is back in the rookie’s locker.

Alex French is the lucky fan who caught the 458 ft @ellylacocoa18 bomb. He said, “I just want to do the right thing. I want him to have it.”

French plays linebacker for @MoellerFootball. pic.twitter.com/A3prdvbbUn

— Olivia Ray (@OliviaRayTV) June 8, 2023

Elly De La Cruz casually goes 458 feet for his first MLB career home run... pic.twitter.com/diImkK58YP

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) June 7, 2023

De La Cruz is off to a hot start in his two games at the major league level. He is 3-for-7 with one home run, two RBIs, a double and a triple. The club’s shortstop of the future has proven he’s the real deal in his short time in Cincinnati and will be an important player for the franchise for years to come.