Game recognizes game, as they say.

Deion Sanders last played in the Majors in 2001, but that doesn't mean the two-sport great hasn't paid attention to happenings on the diamond -- especially when they involve Reds superstar Elly De La Cruz.

"Prime Time" heaped praise on the Cincinnati shortstop during an interview this week while in Arlington for the All-Star Game.

"The shortstop from Cincinnati is phenomenal -- unbelievable," Sanders said, excitably punctuating those last two words.

De La Cruz, with his speed and flair, is an athlete very much in the mold of Sanders, who played parts of nine seasons in the Majors with the Yankees, Braves, Reds and Giants -- while also producing a Hall of Fame career in the NFL.

De La Cruz, who was an All-Star for the first time in 2024, entered Friday leading baseball with 46 stolen bases and boasting an NL-best six triples.

• Check out Elly's wild All-Star cleats

But his talents go beyond elite speed. De La Cruz also has crushed 17 homers this season and has an .830 OPS and 128 OPS+. On defense, his rocket arm routinely uncorks throws at 95 mph or faster.

Having a diverse skill set portends success for any athlete, and Sanders -- now the head coach of the University of Colorado football team and going by "Coach Prime" -- certainly likes what he sees from the 22-year-old De La Cruz.

"This kid is a complete player. ... I love his game," Sanders said. "I love the flash, the flamboyance. He is baseball, man. I love what he brings to the game."