Pirates' Oneil Cruz got 65-foot helping hand from Wrigley Field wind
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Pirates' Oneil Cruz got 65-foot helping hand from Wrigley Field wind originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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Chicago is the Windy City.
That's rarely been more true than on Sunday when the Cubs hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates.
It certainly worked out nicely for the visiting Oneil Cruz.
Cruz rocked a home run deep to right-center, except it wouldn't have been a homer on a normal weather day (well, maybe this is normal in Chicago).
The wind was blowing out, and the stats shared that this home run was boosted 65 feet by the wind strength and direction:
422 ft homer here from Oneil Cruz!
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) April 12, 2026
This ball was blown out 65 (!!!) ft by wind, creating a homer, per @WeatherApplied
111.0 mph
41 degree launch angle
83.1 mph bat speed
They all count! https://t.co/S4ucXFIQF9
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The numbers on that are actually insane.
A 111 MPH exit velocity is great.
A 41-degree launch angle is pretty high for a homer.
An 83.1 MPH bat speed is as fast as it comes.
Cruz is different, and with help from the wind, he got to touch 'em all on Sunday in Chicago.