Only keep 30/60 records? Ronald Acuña Jr. hopes to continue making history and become the only member of the exclusive 40/40 club. With 34 home runs, including five in the past seven games, the Venezuelan has reason to believe he can achieve the feat.
The outfielder hit two of his five homers for the Atlanta Braves, who beat the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Truist Park to snap a three-game losing streak. It was the third game Acuña has hit more than two home runs this season, and he is six runs shy of 40.
nearly unique record
“El de La Sabana” is the only player in National League and American League history to hit 30 home runs and steal 60 bases in a season, and could become the first major leaguer to hit 40/40.
With more than 20 games left in the regular season, the Venezuelan still has a chance to achieve the feat. Additionally, it could put him in a stronger position for the National League MVP award, where he finished a few points ahead of Mookie Betts.
Explosive first hitter
Acuña got off to a strong start against the Cardinals, hitting his 33rd homer of the season on Adam Wainwright’s first pitch and his second of the game. It was against the same pitcher on the first pitch of the sixth inning. “This is probably the first time in my career that someone’s hit a home run away from me on one pitch and then hit the same pitch on the next at-bat,” Wainwright said.
“But I mean, I executed it perfectly. The ball was low and long, off the plate, down the middle, and he got it up the middle. It was amazing. I mean, it’s really amazing what he can do. Impressed,” the pitcher commented on Acuña’s second long ball.