It’s Ronald Acuña Jr.’s world and we’re all just living in it.
The Braves superstar made major league history on Wednesday night when he stole his second base in the bottom of the 10th inning, becoming the first player to record 40 home runs and steal 70 bases in a single season.
To top it all off, Acuña scored the winning run to complete the Braves’ 6-5 comeback win over the Cubs.
The Truist Park was ecstatic and the sound grew to a crescendo when Acuña stole the historic base to become the first member of the 40-70 club.
“There it is! He did it!” Bally Sports play-by-play man Brandon Gaudin exclaimed. “The 40-70 season and a season unlike any other in Major League Baseball history for Ronald Acuña Jr. Take the base and take a bow, No. 13.”
Acuña lifted the base triumphantly above his head as the Atlanta crowd roared.
Stadium staff came out to quickly grab the historic base from him, replacing it with a new one so the game could continue.
Cubs announcers on the Marquee Sports Network, however, were less enthused by the celebration.
“We’re really stopping the game to do a highlight montage?” quipped play-by-play announcer Boog Sciambi.
Second baseman Ozzie Albies then drove Acuña home moments later with a line drive to right field to win the game, capping off the night in spectacular fashion.
“Very happy, most of all that we were triumphant in tonight’s game,” Acuña told Bally Sports after the game. “We were able to win. It was a super emotional game and I’m extremely happy to have created the 40-70 club.”
He added: “It was a super emotional game. It felt like a playoff atmosphere and I guess it just goes to show everybody here that this a preview to what could be in the postseason.”
To top it all off, Acuña was joined at his postgame press conference by his two sons, Ronald and Jamal.
“Like Jamal Crawford,” Acuña joked when introducing them to the assembled media.
Acuña is a frontrunner to win the National League MVP, with Mookie Betts seemingly his only real competition.
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