Cubs fan’s plea to Elly De La Cruz is winning hearts across baseball

The Chicago Cubs fan who caught Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz's home run ball during the Cubs' 7-3 win last Sunday is hoping to return the ball to the star shortstop. It was a heartfelt moment for De La Cruz as it was his first game since learning the news that his sister had passed the day before.

De La Cruz decided to play in the game, dedicating his performance to his late sister. After the home run, De La Cruz pointed to the sky as he crossed home plate as a sign of remembrance.

In what has been a tradition at Wrigley Field, when a Cubs fan catches a home run hit by an opposing player, it is expected that the ball will find its way back on the field. Cubs fan Brendan Daly was the one to catch the ball, and while he did not throw the ball back, he is hopeful that the ball can be returned to De La Cruz. After learning of the circumstances surrounding the home run for De La Cruz, Daly said there wasn't a question of what he needed to do.

"As a human being, not only do I have the deepest condolences for him and his parents and his family, but it made me kind of stop and realize ... what a feel-good story it would be to try to get the ball back to Elly," Daly told TMZ.

Cubs fan hoping to help Elly De La Cruz in the most wholesome way possible

Daly has been in touch with members of the Reds' organization, but as of this writing, it hasn't been made clear if De La Cruz wants the ball back. If he doesn't, Daly plans on keeping the ball as a memory of catching a home run ball at Wrigley Field.

If anything, the gesture by Daly serves as a reminder that baseball can be a spot that brings both sides together. Some stories in baseball are bigger than the game itself, and this is one of those times.