"They think they're fast" - Elly De La Cruz makes bold claim after Olympic champion Noah Lyles' close race with IShowSpeed
Elly De La Cruz had a few choice words for Noah Lyles and streamer IShowSpeed. Lyles is an Olympic sprinter and one of the fastest people in the world. He raced IShowSpeed, a streamer who does athletic feats for his streams on occasions. He is perhaps most known for allegedly jumping over a speeding car.
Despite the seemingly advantage Lyles had, the race was actually close. The Olympic medalist did come out on top, but Speed was not far behind. Speed insisted it was a tie, but the evidence suggests that Lyles was just ahead of him.
De La Cruz, the Cincinnati Reds star who led MLB in stolen bases last season, said on X:
"They think they fast! I'll beat them for sure."
Lyles is not one to back down from a challenge. He raced Speed and has challenged NFL wide receiver Tyreek Hill, one of the fastest athletes in sports, to a race numerous times. Hill hasn't committed, but Lyles was willing. Therefore, if Cruz wants to put his theory to the test, it's likely that the sprinter would acquiesce.
Elly De La Cruz named Silver Slugger finalist
Elly De La Cruz stole 67 bases in 160 games last season. It was the most in baseball by a fairly wide margin. Shohei Ohtani stole 59. De La Cruz was one of the most feared runners on the basepaths this year, and he was deservedly nominated for a power award.
There is currently no speed award in baseball, but there is one for being the best hitter. That often translates to power, which is why it's called the Silver Slugger Award. At shortstop, De La Cruz is a finalist for the award.
This is because he had a unique power/speed season. With 25 home runs, he is one of just two players to steal at least 50 bases and hit 25 home runs. Ohtani is the other. Cruz is the only player with 60 steals and 25 home runs as well.
The shortstop also hit .259 with 76 RBIs and an .809 OPS in his first full season in the big leagues.