“He’s a true MVP.”
Ronald Acuna Jr. (26, Atlanta Braves) hit 40-70, following 40-50 and 40-60. Both are new major league records. Acuna started in right field and went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run, two RBIs, two runs scored and two stolen bases in the Braves’ 2023 Major League Baseball home game against the Chicago Cubs at Truiste Park in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., on Aug. 28.
It was the bottom of the eighth inning, down 1-3. With the bases loaded, Acuna hit a slider from Cubs right-hander Julian Merriweather for a single to right, stole second base off Ozzie Albies for his 69th stolen base of the season and scored on Albies’ single to right.
And in the bottom of the 10th, trailing 4-5. Acuna stepped to third on a low slider from Cubs right-hander Daniel Valencia for the game-tying RBI single. Albies then stole second for his long-awaited 70th stolen base of the season. Acuna picked up the base and celebrated, drawing an ovation from the home fans.
Second baseman Alvis, who was at the plate during Akuna’s first major league milestone, told MLB.com, “I could see him picking up the base, it’s a dream for him. I was trying to make sure he could score and help the team win. It’s an unforgettable play.”
Indeed, Albies followed Acuna’s stolen second base with another single to right field to bring Acuna home. It was a dramatic 6-5 win for Atlanta. Akuna’s stolen base and Albies’ RBI single sealed Atlanta’s dramatic victory.
“He’s a true MVP,” Albies said. “He always dreamed of being an MVP. He always talked about it, he always wanted to do it, so I’m happy for him and I’m happy for me.” “There’s no doubt about it,” said Marcel Ozuna.
According to Albies and Ozuna, Aquino is a lock for the National League MVP. With a 40-70 record, it’s practically a done deal. In 155 games this season, he hit .634 with 213 doubles, 41 home runs, 104 RBI, 146 runs scored, 70 stolen bases, a .414 on-base percentage, a .596 slugging percentage, and a 1.010 OPS.안전놀이터
He ranks first in the National League in runs scored, doubles, stolen bases, slugging percentage, OPS, second in batting average, on-base percentage, fourth in home runs, and seventh in RBI. Teammate Matt Olson led the National League with 53 home runs, passing Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Angels) for the major league lead, but he’s been overshadowed by Akuna’s tremendous season.
As MLB.com put it, Acuna “has surprised teams with his unreal level of production.” Even with the odds stacked in Agu’s favor this year, the general consensus is that 70 home runs in a season is hard to come by.
“He’s the only human being who can break his record,” manager Brian Snitker said. In other words, 40-70 isn’t going to be easily broken anytime soon. “I thought I was going to do it,” Akuna said, “but they told me not to lie. Of all these numbers that are not impossible, this one (steal) seemed impossible. I said, ‘Thank you. We did it.”