THE PURSUIT OF 40/40
RONALD ACUNA JR.’S ASSAULT ON 40 HOME RUNS AND 40 STOLEN BASES THIS SEASON BROUGHT THE SPOTLIGHT ON ONE OF BASEBALL’S MOST EXCLUSIVE CLUBS
Ronald Acuna Jr. is 21 years of age and in his second year with the Atlanta Braves.
One would think that he would still be trying to master hitting a curve ball, get a grip on the strike zone or figure out how to take a quality lead off first base.
For most young players adjusting to the big leagues, yes, that likely would be the case.
But Acuna is not your average second-year major leaguer. He is, in fact, a special breed of speed, power and immense God-given talent that baseball fans can’t help but marvel at.
Acuna, a right-handed hitting outfielder who won the 2018 National League Rookie of the Year Award, compiled a 2019 season that ranks among the very elite. In the final week of the regular season, Acuna - with 41 HR and 37 SB - was looking to become just the fifth major leaguer in history to slug 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in the same season – a truly remarkable feat. With the clock ticking and the calendar showing just five games remaining in the season, Acuna just shrugged at the thought of falling short of 40-40.
“I’ve never felt any pressure or anything like that,” he told Mlb.com. If I don’t get it, I don’t get it. That’s the way I’m looking at it. I’ve never felt any pressure. So, I don’t think I’m going to feel any different if it does happen.”
The likes of Acuna’s remarkable season have not been seen for 13 years. The last player to go 40-40 was Alfonso Soriano, then with the Washington Nationals, in 2006 when he blasted 46 homers and stole 41 bases.
Of that select group, Canseco is the only player to win an MVP Award in the season of his 40-40 feat.
Others have come close to going 40-40. Most recently, Cleveland’s Jose Ramirez hit 39 homers and stole 33 bases in the 2018 season. In 2011, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Matt Kemp narrowly missed it with 39 Hrsand 40 steals. A year later, in 2012, Mike Trout finished with 30 home runs and 49 steals. Interestingly, Bobby Bonds, Barry’s father, came within one homer in 1973 when he finished with 39 home runs and 43 stolen bases with the San Francisco Giants. is season, Milwaukee’s Christian Yelich had a shot at 40-40 (44 home runs and 30 stolen bases) before his season ended September 8 with a fractured knee.
e list of 30-30 is a long one. But the 40-40 Club is very select.“at’s an amazing number,” Soriano said back in 2006 when he joined the club.“i’m proud of myself that I did 40-40.”
Acuna has thoroughly enjoyed his own journey, as well, according to his skipper.
“If you’re asking me if Ronald can handle all this, my answer is yes. He’s actually the last guy I would worry about in this position,” Braves’ manager Brian Snitker said in a Bleacher Report story. “He has so much talent, it’s almost mindboggling, but none of it has gone to his head. at’s what makes him special.
“is is his playground,” Snitker added. “I don’t think I’ve seen Ronald nervous in a game, no matter how big the situation is. at’s saying a lot for a 21-year-old.”
It’s not surprising the Braves have invested heavily in their young star. In April, the club inked Acuna to a contract extension that covered eight years and worth $100 million that, with incentives, could boost the deal to $124 million.
Acuna, a native of Venezuela whose idol is fellow countryman Miguel Cabrera, is grateful for his financial blessings.
“Every day I give thanks for the opportunity I’ve been given,” he told Bleacher Report. “I thank God, I thank my family, my teammates. I try to honor the people who’ve helped me get here.”
Even though Acuna’s star is shining brightly and his future looks incredibly brilliant, he has had his moments of disappointment. In early August against the Dodgers, Acuna was benched a er hitting a long ball that turned out to be a single. Acuna thought the ball was gone and went into a home run trot. He ended up at first base, and, eventually, the dugout a er Snitker pulled him from the game.
Acuna accepted the discipline. “ere was no excuse for [what I did],” he said a er the game.
Braves outfielder Nick Markakis put Acuna’s situation in perspective. “He’s young, he’s going to make mistakes like that. He’s going to have slumps. at’s where the veterans come in. Every good team has a good clubhouse.”
Acuna also has had his problems with striking out, leading the NL in whiffs for much of the season and fanning every 3.5 at-bats. But again . . . he’s 21 and working to improve his game on the grandest of stages.
ere was a period this season when Acuna was in the MVP discussion, but some struggles in August – and Cody Bellinger’s big season in Los Angeles – served to quiet much of that talk. But the 40-40 talk continued right down to the final week of the season.
And what a season it’s been for the kid with the speed and power.
Only four others in the history of the game know the feeling.
“This is his playground,” Snitker added. “I don’t think I’ve seen Ronald nervous in a game, no matter how big the situation is. That’s saying a lot for a 21-year-old.”