Ronald Acuña Jr. Joins Exclusive 40-40 Club in Major League Baseball
Atlanta Braves outfielder, Ronald Acuña Jr., made history on Wednesday night as he became the fifth player in Major League Baseball (MLB) history to achieve a 40-40 season. Acuña hit his 40th home run of the season off Washington Nationals pitcher Patrick Corbin, solidifying his place in elite company.
Not only did Acuña hit his 40th home run, but it also marked his 34th career leadoff homer. Showing off his incredible speed, Acuña completed his home run trot in just 22.0 seconds, a remarkable 1.8 seconds faster than any previous home run trot this year.
Joining the likes of legendary players such as Jose Canseco, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, and Alfonso Soriano, Acuña has etched his name in MLB history. The talented outfielder had previously made history as the first player to have 60-plus steals during a 30-homer season.
Braves manager, Brian Snitker, expressed his admiration for Acuña’s incredible accomplishment, describing it as “elite company” and acknowledging the hard work and skill it takes to achieve such a feat. Acuña’s achievement is even more remarkable considering he underwent major knee surgery just two years ago.
Acuña’s hometown of La Sabana in Venezuela erupted in celebration as their beloved athlete hit his 40th home run. Acuña himself expressed his pride in representing his hometown and was grateful for the support he received.
This achievement is just one highlight of Acuña’s MVP-caliber season. His outstanding performance has been on full display since a four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he homered an impressive 11 times in just 85 at-bats.
While there have been several near-misses in joining the 40-40 club, Acuña and Bonds stand as the only players to achieve this feat twice. Acuña fell just three stolen bases short of joining the club in 2019 when he hit 41 home runs.
Looking ahead, Acuña hopes to stay healthy and continue achieving more milestones in his promising career. His dedication to his craft and undeniable talent make him a major force to be reckoned with in the world of baseball.
As Acuña’s MVP-caliber season continues to draw attention, he has not forgotten his roots. The Braves outfielder remains grateful for the support he has received and continues to make his hometown proud. With his impressive achievements, Acuña is undoubtedly cementing his place among the baseball greats.
