In a thrilling game between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies, superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. delivered a jaw-dropping moment when he smacked his 37th home run of the season. This powerful hit, a two-run blast, broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth inning and traveled an impressive 424 feet. However, it wasn’t just the homer that made headlines; it was Acuña’s animated celebration as he rounded the bases.
As Acuña crossed first base, he could be seen flapping his arms like wings, and then, while passing third, he made a gesture suggesting he had ice in his veins. Phillies manager Rob Thomson wasn’t happy with these enthusiastic actions, and he expressed his thoughts about it when he talked on the radio.
“I like our guys to act like they’ve been there before.”
Rob Thomson on Ronald Acuña Jr’s celebration last night pic.twitter.com/hboizAkTs6
— WIP Morning Show (@WIPMorningShow) September 13, 2023
Thomson didn’t single out Acuña but expressed his preference for players to act with more restraint, saying, “I like our guys to act like they’ve been there before.” He seemed to find Acuña’s on-field theatrics unprofessional and hinted that he’d be displeased if one of his own players behaved similarly.
In response to the reaction, Acuña took to Instagram, posting a message that read,
“If you don’t like it, stop it. If you can’t stop it, admire it. If you can’t admire it, keep it down so everyone else can enjoy the show.”
https://twitter.com/TalkinBaseball_/status/1702155676443619779?t=JJo1Igh0WOXIVgsI0WEb7g&s=31
The Braves won a close game, 7-6, after playing extra innings, and Acuña’s home run was a big part of their victory. What’s even more exciting is that Acuña is getting closer to a special achievement – the 40/60 club. If he makes it, he’ll be the very first player in MLB history to hit 40 home runs and steal 60 bases in just one season. This puts him in a special group of only five players who managed to hit 40 homers and steal 40 bases in a single season.
