The Atlanta Braves are defending World Series champions, but it’s important to remember that they went on that remarkable run without superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. His season ended before the All-Star break last year in Miami as he was carted off the field with a torn ACL.
Fast forward just over a year to the same ballpark and same outfield, and it was a very different look from Acuña.
The Braves — who had trailed the New York Mets by 10.5 games on June 1 — clinched their fifth straight NL East title on Tuesday with a 2-1 win over the Marlins. The last out of the game was a fly ball to right field that Acuña was fittingly out there to catch. And it really didn’t take much to notice how important the moment was to Acuña.
He was hopping with excitement before the baseball even got to him. Pure joy right there.
Ronald Acuña Jr. could only watch last season's World Series run due to injury.
Just look at the joy when he caught the final out to seal the NL East title. pic.twitter.com/TXlnTv6Z8v
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) October 5, 2022
That’s just so great.
With the division-clinching win, the Braves locked up the No. 2 seed in the National League and a first round bye. That will have them facing the winner of the Phillies-Cardinals Wild Card series and avoiding a potential Dodgers matchup before the NLCS.
Baseball fans particularly loved that wholesome moment from Acuña.
This was how Twitter reacted
His face says it all! https://t.co/krvqP1ed22
— Emily Harrison (@emilysharrison) October 5, 2022
Pure youthful excitement! Love it! https://t.co/YbAxATScDE
— Marty Roberts (@osceolaforever) October 5, 2022
My favorite thing from the game last night https://t.co/phW9WFnaTl
— Harrison Hays (@hkhays17) October 5, 2022
this is the only reason I watch baseball man I love this guy https://t.co/INrxzrH6ak
— Michael (@Lakitu886) October 5, 2022
An injury he got on this same field 🤯 https://t.co/uUfaN2Dizf
— 1 𝔡𝔢 𝔧𝔲𝔫𝔦𝔬 🏆💍🪓🏁 (@NardBell) October 5, 2022
In the exact same spot on the exact same field, it’s poetic https://t.co/AN27NbH9aV
— Alex Georgy (@alexgeorgy_) October 5, 2022
I am sobbing. https://t.co/PokUiGRXvz
— defund candy corn. (@himynameis_shay) October 5, 2022
Atlanta has been the NL East champ every single season of Ronald Acuña Jr.’s career https://t.co/RtN3DFS5Jq
— Jonathann Jrade-Rice (@thefulton108) October 5, 2022
Muh heart is so full 🥹 https://t.co/tTFPxSUwyq
— Leslie Mines (@LeslieMinesIII) October 5, 2022
https://t.co/2cr11hc2zy pic.twitter.com/b3V7fm8gku
— Zach of the Dead (@zmullis) October 5, 2022
In the same spot that ended his season last year. What a moment. #FortheA https://t.co/POR1eYpruy
— Courtney 🇵🇷 Martinez (@sportsbycourt) October 5, 2022
RONNIE FOREVERRRRRRRRR https://t.co/UmybsfM53c
— hAUnted Callie (@soAUcal) October 5, 2022
Baseball really can be poetic.
