Ronald Acuña Jr. made history on Friday night as he became the fifth player in MLB history to join the 40-40 club. Acuña hit his 40th home run of the season in the first inning of the Braves’ game against the Nationals. With this achievement, he can now lay claim to producing the fifth 40-40 season in AL/NL history and the first 40-60 season.
Acuña quickly erased anticipation as he connected off Nationals starter Patrick Corbin with his 34th career leadoff homer. He sprinted around the bases faster than he had with any of his previous 39 home runs this year, crossing the plate with great excitement. Acuña completed the trot in 22.0 seconds, 1.8 seconds faster than any previous home run trot this year.
Joining the likes of Jose Canseco (1988), Barry Bonds (1996), Alex Rodriguez (1998), and Alfonso Soriano (2006), Acuña has solidified his place among the elite players who have achieved a 40-40 season. Rodriguez’s 46 steals in 1998 had previously stood as the highest total during a 40-homer campaign.
Braves manager Brian Snitker expressed his admiration for Acuña’s achievement, stating, “It’s elite company for sure. I’m just glad I’ve had a front-row seat to see it.”
Acuña’s accomplishment is even more remarkable considering he underwent major knee surgery just two years ago. He tore his right ACL two days before the 2021 All-Star break and faced limitations in the following season. However, those limitations disappeared before the start of this season, allowing Acuña to showcase his incredible talents.
Throughout the season, Acuña has consistently demonstrated his power and speed on the field. He was the first player to have 60-plus steals during a 30-homer season and joined the exclusive 30-50 club alongside players like Eric Davis (1987) and Barry Bonds (1990). Acuña’s performance this year has shattered previous records, proving his dominance in both home run hitting and base stealing.
Acuña’s achievement has brought immense pride to his Venezuelan hometown of La Sabana. The people of La Sabana celebrated his 40th home run, and Acuña expressed his joy at being able to make his hometown proud.
As the Braves continue their quest for