Atlanta Braves superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. pulled off a doubleheader, delivering a grand slam on the field and tying the knot with his longtime love, Maria Laborde, off the field, all in the span of a few incredible hours.
It all began when at 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday morning, Acuña rang up his business manager, Nick Drbal, with an urgent request to schedule a wedding in Los Angeles where the Braves were set to play their next road series.
Within a short span, all the arrangements were made and a full-fledged ceremony took place in the wee hours of Thursday morning.
As reported by CBC, the couple exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony at Whispering Oaks in Agoura Hills, California. However, this wasn’t the typical wedding affair. Ronald and Maria decided to forego traditional formal attire in favor of a more personal touch. Both bride and groom donned matching white outfits, with the 4× All-Star sporting a crisp white half-sleeved shirt, jeans, and sneakers, while the beautiful bride wore a simple white knee-length sleeveless dress.
Ronald Acuña and Maria Laborde had been dating for four years until the pair sealed their commitment with an engagement in January. Together, they share two sons.
Under the terms of her Venezuelan visa, Maria Laborde, Acuña’s new wife had to bid farewell to the United States by week’s end. Their hearts were heavy as they would have been separated for three long months, all to comply with immigration regulations.
The stakes were sky-high for Acuña and the Braves, who have been chasing a coveted World Series championship all season long. The possibility of an MVP award for Acuña was also tantalizingly within reach.
Nevertheless, everything was hanging in the balance due to Maria’s visa constraints.
Hence, the Atlanta Braves outfielder rushed to the altar to stay close to his family and children.
As Acuna made history during Thursday’s game against the Dodgers, his new wife and their two sons, 2-year-old Ronald Daniel and 11-month-old Jamall, watched intently from Section 108.
Reportedly, Ronald Acuña Jr. has kept a ticket of the coveted game and presented it to his wife, Maria Laborde.
On this ticket, he inscribed a heartfelt message in Spanish writing:
“For the rest of my life, I hope you never forget this incredibly special day for us.”
