“He goes down a road that no one will ever go down again.”
That’s what Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker told MLB.com on Wednesday. 캡틴토토“He’s definitely in elite company now. Thanks for the front row seats.” The National League MVP has reservations.
Ronald Acuna Jr. (26) hit the nail on the head. The 26-year-old started in right field against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., and went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, and three RBIs.
As soon as the game started, he made major league history. He hit a six-pitch, 81-mph slider off Washington starter Patrick Corbin on a full count for a leadoff solo shot to left field. His first home run in three games since May 20 against the Philadelphia Phillies. His 40th home run of the season.
With 40 homers and 68 steals on the season, he became the first 40-60 player in major league history. In fact, only Jose Canseco (1988, 42 homers and 40 steals), Barry Bonds (1996, 42 homers and 40 steals), Alex Rodriguez (1998, 42 homers and 46 steals), and Alfonso Soriano (2006, 46 homers and 41 steals) had 40-40 seasons.
It’s been 17 years since Acuna broke the 40-40 barrier, but he’s gone 30-50, 30-60, 40-50, and now 40-60. Two more stolen bases and he’s at 40-70. 40-70 is also an all-time first. “He’s the most unique member of the 40-40 club,” MLB.com said. “It’s unbelievable. It was a really good hit. I’m proud of myself, too.”
The National League MVP race has also been settled. Initially, it looked like Acuna would take the lead, with Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman (Los Angeles Dodgers) chasing. A late-season surge by Betts briefly sent the race into a fog, but it’s now completely tilted in Acuna’s favor with 30-60 and 40-60.
This season, in 152 games, Acuna is batting .337 with 209 doubles, 40 home runs, 101 RBI, 143 runs scored, a .415 slugging percentage, a .597 on-base percentage, and a 1.012 OPS. He leads the National League in runs scored, stolen bases, on-base percentage, doubles, and OPS, and is second in batting average, on-base percentage, and home runs. First in the MVP race, even if he’s not 40-60 or 40-70.