A video circulating on social media shows Cincinnati Reds star shortstop Elly De La Cruz on a dirt bike. The two-time All-Star is not wearing a helmet in the clip. The video was originally shared by Hector Gomez of Z101Digital. Gomez’s post has been viewed more than 36,000 times. That figure doesn’t account for the many posts resharing the original clip.
The content of the video was enough to elicit a response from the top member of Cincinnati’s front office. Fox contributor Charlie Goldsmith caught up with Reds general manager Brad Meador, who downplayed De La Cruz’s actions in the clip. “I talked to Elly. He wasn’t riding it. It was just for the video.”
In the video, De La Cruz is seen talking to the camera in what appears to be a traffic intersection. He’s surrounded by several other people on dirt bikes, along with some on ATVs. As the clip cuts away from De La Cruz, the shortstop advances slightly toward the intersection as a car drives past in front of the dirt bikes.
Elly De La Cruz Video Sparks Memories of Previous Bike Incidents
Fans were quick to reference instances of players getting injured on bikes, with Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres being the most notable recent example. Tatis fractured his wrist falling off a motorcycle ahead of the 2022 season. He was set to miss several months of the campaign, but ended up missing the entire year following a PED suspension.
San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner injured his shoulder and ribs in April 2017 after a dirt bike accident. The left-hander missed nearly three months of game action due to the incident. “I realize that’s definitely not the most responsible decision I’ve made,” Bumgarner told reporters, including the Associated Press, following the revelation of the injuries. In a non-motorized example with a similar result, Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale broke his wrist falling off a bicycle in August 2022. The left-hander was with the Boston Red Sox at the time. The injury ended his season.
The De La Cruz video comes to light just over two weeks before Cincinnati’s first game of the spring. Reds position players will report to Spring Training on February 14.
Reds Can’t Afford to Lose Superstar
De La Cruz is among the most essential players on Cincinnati’s roster as the team looks to return to the postseason for the second consecutive year. The dynamic infielder appeared in all 162 games last season, slashing .264/.336/.440 with 22 home runs and 37 stolen bases. De La Cruz has now piled up 139 steals across three big-league seasons. He has a 107 wRC+ for his career.
After a generally quiet offseason, the Reds finally made a splash on February 1, adding third baseman Eugenio Suarez on a one-year deal. The veteran will form an imposing 1-2 punch with De La Cruz in the middle of Cincinnati’s lineup. De La Cruz has topped 100 runs scored in back-to-back years. With Suarez hitting behind him, he’ll have a good chance to make it three seasons in a row.
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