5. Ronald Acuña Jr.’s first major-league dinger against the Reds
Acuña didn’t come to the majors and immediately light the world on fire. It took a little while for him to get acclimated, and of course, he suffered a gruesome leg injury that hindered his progression. Nonetheless, it was these types of swings we saw from him early on that made everyone believe: this kid was built different.
https://twitter.com/FOXSportsBraves/status/1062129467978465280
4. That night he hit a home-run and robbed a home-run in the same inning
Acuña got the start in center field on an August night in the Nation’s Capital. With the NL East race still wide open, the NL Rookie of the Year did something only a few guys have done in the history of major league baseball. Not only did he hit a home run, he robbed one too, and it all occurred in the same inning…
Ronald Acuña Jr. became the fifth player in MLB this season to hit a home run and rob a home run in the same game Wednesday night.
He was the first to do both in the same inning. pic.twitter.com/KLAEZ9W0y5
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 9, 2018
His Relationship with Ozzie Albies
No this is not a play, but anyone who watched this team knows just how much excitement these two bring to the dugout. This is what the 2018 Braves season was all about: Love, passion, energy, togetherness, and some damn talented baseball players. I could watch videos of these too messing around in the dugout for days.
https://twitter.com/HeartofMLB/status/998532437176213505
https://twitter.com/beathappened/status/1049125764942028801
Shoutout to Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuña Jr. for expressing tenderness pic.twitter.com/JLLtTY6YkV
— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) July 29, 2018
2. Jose Ureña pegs Acuña, benches clear
This was not the prettiest play of the season, but it is one Braves fans and the team is not going to forget about anytime soon. Acuña was at the peak of his domination, smacking a leadoff home-run in three straight games and homering eight times in his last eight games. Ureña never pitched against the Braves again in 2018; however, he will be on the mound at some point next year, and as I said, the Braves have not forgotten. The best part about this is old-man Snitker leading the team off the bench.
Benches clear in Marlins-Braves after José Ureña hits Ronald Acuña Jr. in 1st inning.
Acuña Jr. (5 straight games with HR, 3 straight with leadoff HR) exits in 2nd inning. pic.twitter.com/V2aSu97YEX
— MLB (@MLB) August 16, 2018
1. Acuña’s Grand Slam in Game 3 of the NLDS
The great thing about baseball and sports, in general, is no matter how disappointing a season can be there are always little moments that will bring you back for next year. Now, the Braves season was in no way disappointing. They exceeded the most optimistic projections, but losing in the NLDS to the Dodgers certainly leaves a sour taste in the mouths of many. With that being said, this moment was one of the best in Braves’ postseason history and has the whole fanbase circling their calendar for the start of the 2019 season. Chills, man.
https://twitter.com/HeartofMLB/status/1049161750573211648