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.