Ronald Acuña Makes History The Fifth Player To Join MLB's 40-40 Club

Photo: Instagram/Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuña Jr. has etched his name in the annals of Major League Baseball history, achieving a remarkable milestone that places him among the game's elite.

The Atlanta Braves' star outfielder, a frontrunner for the National League MVP title, accomplished what only four others have done before him. Acuña now stands as the fifth player in MLB history to join the exclusive 40-homer, 40-stolen base club within a single season.

However, he didn't stop there; he shattered records by becoming the first ever to reach a stunning 40-60 season, a feat that cements his legacy. Acuña's relentless pursuit of excellence was on full display during a recent game against the Washington Nationals when he led off with a powerful home run off pitcher Patrick Corbin.

Photo: Instagram/Ronald Acuña Jr.

This achievement places him in the rarified company of legends like Jose Canseco (1988), Barry Bonds (1996), Alex Rodriguez (1998), and Alfonso Soriano (2006), who have previously entered the 40-40 club. This is not the first time Acuña has flirted with this historic accomplishment. In 2019, he came agonizingly close, recording 41 home runs and swiping an NL-best 37 bases.

His journey to the 40-40 club this year was aided by MLB rule changes, including restrictions on pickoff attempts and the introduction of larger bases, making base stealing more accessible. Beyond the numbers, Acuña's performance this season has thrust him into the NL MVP conversation.


He shares the limelight with the likes of Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts, as well as his Braves teammates Freddie Freeman and Matt Olson. Acuña's MVP candidacy was momentarily overshadowed by Betts' remarkable stretch, but he has responded with an astonishing hot streak, boasting an impressive .386/.446/.807 batting line over his past 13 games.

As it stands, Acuña leads or is in a virtual tie with Betts in most offensive statistics, a testament to his incredible impact at the plate. However, Betts might hold an edge in terms of defensive value, given his versatility, having played second base and shortstop in addition to his Gold Glove-caliber performance in right field.

Despite the tough competition, it's undeniable that Acuña's historic achievement and ongoing excellence make him a frontrunner for the NL MVP title. His remarkable season has not only placed him in the record books but also firmly in the conversation as one of baseball's greatest talents of his era.

Read Next: Yankees' Aaron Judge Makes History With Second Three-Homer Game of The Season

Source: Yahoo Sports 

Comments

Post a Comment

Trending Now

Karl-Anthony Towns Named NBA Social Justice Champion For 2023-24 Season

Image
Photo: Instagram/Karl-Anthony Towns Minnesota Timberwolves' star player Karl-Anthony Towns has been named the 2023-24 NBA Social Justice Champion. He will be awarded the prestigious Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Trophy for his dedication to social justice causes. Towns stood out among five finalists for his commitment to equality, respect, and inclusion, values upheld by Abdul-Jabbar and the NBA. Towns played a crucial role in advocating for voting rights, particularly in the passage of Minnesota's Restore the Vote bill. This bipartisan legislation restored the right to vote for thousands of previously incarcerated individuals. He actively engaged with key organizations and community discussions, emphasizing the importance of every citizen's voice in democracy. The passage of the bill in March 2023 marked a significant milestone, benefiting over 55,000 Minnesotans upon its implementation in July 2023. Towns' involvement extended beyond voting rights, as he supported initiatives
Read More

Holmgren Endorses Gilgeous-Alexander For NBA MVP After Dominant Game 2

Image
Photo: Instagram/Chet Holmgren Chet Holmgren , a teammate of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander , stole the spotlight after an electrifying Game 2 performance by the Thunder guard.  Gilgeous-Alexander led his team to a commanding 124-92 victory over the Pelicans with a stellar 33-point display.  In a post-game interview with TNT's Allie LaForce, Holmgren passionately endorsed Gilgeous-Alexander for the NBA MVP title, even grabbing the microphone to emphasize his point. Photo: Instagram/Chet Holmgren Despite Gilgeous-Alexander's modest reaction, his performance speaks volumes, with 17 of his 33 points coming in the second half, along with five assists and three rebounds.  This stellar showing adds to his impressive track record, including a team-leading 28 points in Game 1. The Thunder's Game 2 victory was historic, marking the first time in NBA playoff history that all points were scored by players aged 25 and under.  "He's too humble to say it, but this is the MVP right here
Read More

Rudy Gobert Misses Game 2 For Son's Birth; High Winds Foil Return

Image
Photo: Instagram/Rudy Gobert Minnesota Timberwolves' center Rudy Gobert was absent for Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal showdown against the Denver Nuggets due to the birth of his son.  Gobert, who played a pivotal role in their Game 1 victory, was unable to make it back to Denver in time for the game due to disruptive weather conditions, particularly high winds in Colorado. The absence of Gobert posed a challenge for the Wolves, as he played a significant defensive role in their previous win, limiting key players like Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokic . Photo: Instagram/Rudy Gobert Without him, the team had to adjust their defensive strategy, with coach Chris Finch mentioning that Kyle Anderson might step up to defend Jokic while emphasizing the importance of Karl-Anthony Towns ' role in the game. Meanwhile, the Nuggets faced uncertainty regarding Jamal Murray 's availability due to a strained left calf. Despite this, coach Michael Malone expressed confidence i
Read More

UFC's Dana White Calls Out Netflix For Short Time Slot at Tom Brady Roast

Image
Photo: Instagram/Dana White During Netflix's recent special, "The Greatest Roast of All Time: Tom Brady ," UFC president Dana White didn't hold back, taking aim at the streaming giant for only giving him a minute on stage to roast the seven-time Super Bowl champ. Expressing his frustration, White joked, "It p---es me off. I flew all the way out here and you guys give me 60 seconds? My name is Dana. Is that not trans enough for you liberal f---s?" White, who was part of the star-studded audience, took the opportunity to deliver some zingers aimed at Brady and comedian Jeff Ross. Photo: Instagram/Dana White The roast, hosted by Tony Hinchcliffe of "Kill Tony," featured a segment called "Kill Tommy," where White seized his moment to fire off a few humorous shots. This isn't the first time White has made headlines for speaking out. In October, UFC renewed its partnership with Anheuser-Busch, making the company its official beer sponsor. 
Read More

Jamal Murray Opens Up About NBA Fine

Image
Photo: Instagram/Jamal Murray Jamal Murray , Denver Nuggets' star player, spoke out about his recent NBA punishment following a controversial incident during Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Murray's actions during the game, which included throwing a heat pack onto the court during live play and making a money gesture toward the referees, resulted in a hefty $100,000 fine imposed by the NBA. Initially silent on the matter after Game 2, Murray finally addressed the punishment, stating, "It is what it is. I take full responsibility, onto the next." Photo: Instagram/Jamal Murray Many NBA fans and analysts anticipated a possible suspension for Murray due to the potentially dangerous nature of his actions. However, it seems his clean record played a role in the leniency of the punishment. Despite Murray's acknowledgment of responsibility, Nuggets' head coach Michael Malone expressed disappointment in the team's re
Read More

Naoya Inoue Bounces Back From Knockdown To Knockout Luis Nery In Six Rounds

Image
Photo: Instagram/Naoya Inoue Japanese boxer Naoya Inoue showed true grit and resilience as he overcame an early knockdown to deliver a stunning knockout victory against Mexican challenger Luis Nery.  In a thrilling match at the Tokyo Dome on Monday, Inoue wowed the crowd by dropping Nery three times before securing a sixth-round knockout.  Despite being floored by a powerful left hook in the first round, Inoue fought back fiercely, flooring Nery with a counter left hook in the second round. Photo: Instagram/Naoya Inoue The momentum continued as Inoue sent Nery to the canvas again in the fifth round with another impressive left hook.  Finally, in the sixth round, a massive straight right from Inoue sealed the deal, knocking Nery out cold at the 1:22 mark.  En 20 años se hablará que fue un mexicano, de Tijuana, un corajudo llamado Luis Nery que mandó por primera vez a la lona al miembro del salón de la fama de Canastota y mejor peleador en la historia de Japón 🇯🇵 Naoya Inoue Y que fue
Read More

Nuggets' Nikola Jokic Clinches 2023-24 Kia MVP Title

Image
Photo: Instagram/Nikola Jokic Denver's star center, Nikola Jokic , has snagged the coveted title of the 2023-24 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player, marking his third win in this prestigious category.  Jokic, who previously clinched the honor in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, now joins an elite group of players as only the ninth in NBA history to achieve this feat. The Serbian sensation, with nine years in the NBA under his belt, joins the ranks of basketball legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar , Michael Jordan , Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, LeBron James , Larry Bird, Magic Johnson , and Moses Malone, who have all secured three or more MVP titles throughout their careers. Photo: Instagram/Nikola Jokic In the recently concluded 2023-24 regular season, Jokic showcased his prowess by ranking 10th in points, fourth in rebounds, and third in assists per game.  Notably, he became only the second player in NBA history to tally over 2,000 points, 900 rebounds, and 700 assists in a single season
Read More

Former UFC Star Mike Perry Turns Down Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Undercard Fight Due To Low Pay

Image
Photo: Instagram/Mike Perry Mike Perry, a former UFC standout, has declined the chance to box on the undercard of the much-anticipated Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson event. Perry revealed that he was offered a bout against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., the son of boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez, slated for July 20.  Despite the significant exposure he would have gained from appearing on a Netflix card headlined by two boxing giants, Perry cited inadequate compensation as the reason for rejecting the offer. In an interview with The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Perry expressed his interest in participating on the Mike Tyson Netflix card for the exposure it would bring.  However, he emphasized that the financial aspect, particularly given the caliber of his potential opponent, did not meet his expectations. Perry revealed that he had another option with higher pay and more promising incentives, ultimately leading him to decline the Chavez Jr. bout. Photo: Instagram/Mike Perry Perry's departure
Read More

Suns Fire Coach Vogel After Playoff Sweep

Image
Photo: Instagram/Frank Vogel The Phoenix Suns have parted ways with head coach Frank Vogel following a disappointing first-round exit from the NBA playoffs. The decision came after the Suns were swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves, marking a shocking end to their season. Team President of Basketball Operations and General Manager, James Jones, stated, "After a careful review of the season, we determined that a change in leadership was necessary.  We appreciate Frank's efforts, but last season fell short of our expectations." Vogel, who only lasted one year with the Suns, was a surprising choice for the coaching role.  Photo: Instagram/Frank Vogel Reports suggested the Suns were considering promoting assistant coach Kevin Young, but ultimately went with Vogel. However, Vogel's coaching style failed to connect with the Suns' roster, leading to dysfunction within the team. Despite Vogel's confidence in his return, Suns' owner Mat Ishbia opted for a change.
Read More

Glen Davis, Former NBA Star, Gets 40 Months In Healthcare Fraud Case

Image
Photo: Instagram/Glen Davis Former NBA player Glen Davis has been handed a 40-month prison sentence for his role in a healthcare fraud scheme. Alongside 19 others, including former players like Will Bynum, Terrence Williams, and Keyon Dooling, Davis was found guilty of submitting false reimbursement claims to the NBA's health and welfare benefit plan.  The scheme raked in over $5 million in illegal profits, with Davis alone submitting $132,000 worth of fraudulent claims. Photo: Instagram/Glen Davis Despite facing a maximum of 20 years behind bars, Davis was sentenced to 40 months and ordered to pay $80,000 in restitution.  Alongside his prison time, he must attend financial management classes and undergo mandatory drug treatment during his three-year supervised release.  Davis, who played eight seasons in the NBA, including stints with the Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic, and Los Angeles Clippers, was a key member of the Celtics' 2008 championship-winning team. Read Next: Shohei
Read More