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Cincinnati Reds fan gets autographed bat, photo op for Elly De La Cruz home run ball

On3 imageby:Dan Morrison•06/08/23•

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Elly De La Cruz
Dylan Buell / Contributor PhotoG/Getty

Elly De La Cruz is one of baseball’s most anticipated young talents. Earlier this week, he was called up to make his MLB debut for the Cincinnati Reds, and in just his second career game, he hit his first career home run.

It was a rocket shot, traveling more than 450 feet, and fans at Great American Ballpark scrambled to grab the ball. Eventually, one fan managed to come up with it.

“That ball had a family,” John Sadak, the Reds play-by-play broadcaster shouted.

Of course, as any baseball player would, Elly De La Cruz wanted his first home run ball as a piece of memorabilia for his own collection. So, he agreed to make a trade with the fan.

After a brief negotiation, the fan came to an agreement and was willing to trade the ball for some memorabilia of his own. Among the things the fan would receive were a signed baseball bat, a signed hat, as well as signed baseballs and pictures for both the fan and his friends.

Along with all that, the fan also got a meet and greet with Elly De La Cruz following the game.

The monetary value of the items that the fan got back isn’t clear. Depending on whether or not Elly De La Cruz lives up to the hype and how many autographs he’s willing to sign are going to play a role in determining that. However, they likely won’t ever reach the current value of the ball, which according to Darren Rovell could be worth as much as $10,000.

Even with that, the fan got plenty back for the ball, an incredible memory, and the chance to walk away happy.

Cincinnati Reds star accomplishes a new goal

Veteran first baseman Joey Votto has done a ton in his 16-year MLB career, all of which he’s spent with the Cincinnati Reds. He was the 2010 NL MVP, a six-time All-Star, and has a gold glove. Those accolades go nicely with his better than 2,000 hits and 300 home runs.

However, Votto has more that he wants to accomplish in baseball. Some of those things seem small to people but mean a lot to him, like driving the bus.

In July 2018, Votto explained that when he’s done, he wants to drive a yellow bus, saying, “After I’m done playing — drive a bus,” Votto said. “I legitimately would like to drive a yellow bus. That’s something I’m excited about. I’m serious about that, I think that would be great.”

Now, Votto has done it. He posted a picture of himself on Instagram driving a bus with the caption, “Heading down to Louisville for a few stops.”

Votto is currently trying to rehab from an injury that he suffered last season and is headed to the Reds’ Triple-A affiliate in Louisville to rehab.

“No, no, no, no. That was right in line with, ‘Let’s try.’ It was almost like no harm, no foul,” Votto said Friday, via MLB.com. “There were occasions [when] someone would throw the ball to me and I got out of the way. As a defender, you have to get in there, stick your nose in there and make a play. My instinct was to get out of the way because I was incapable of actually catching the ball with my arm. As far as offensively, I was fighting for sure in there. But at no point was I ever competitive, like a legitimate threat.”