A historic blend of power and speed in the 2023 MLB season
23.09.2023 posted by Admin
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. has etched his name in the annals of baseball history by hitting his 40th home run of the season, becoming the fifth member of the exclusive 40-40 Club. This remarkable feat, achieved with a first-inning blast against Washington Nationals pitcher Patrick Corbin, places Acuña alongside a select group of players who have managed to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in a single season.
The first player to achieve this rare combination of speed and power was Oakland Athletics' slugger Jose Canseco, who accomplished the feat in 1988 with 42 home runs and 40 stolen bases. San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds replicated Canseco's achievement in 1996, hitting 42 homers and stealing 40 bases. In 1998, Seattle Mariners' Alex Rodriguez joined the club with 42 home runs and an impressive 46 stolen bases. Alfonso Soriano, playing for the Washington Nationals in 2006, was the last player to match this milestone, swatting 46 home runs and stealing 41 bases.
Notably, Acuña has not only reached the 40-40 Club but has also showcased extraordinary base-stealing skills in the 2023 season, having stolen a remarkable 68 bases, the highest in the Major Leagues as of Friday.
This year, the 25-year-old Venezuelan, who earned the National League Rookie of the Year title in 2018 and boasts four All-Star selections, is making a compelling case for his first Most Valuable Player award. He currently maintains an impressive batting average of .338, along with 101 runs batted in, in addition to his home run and stolen base achievements.
Acuña's Braves have emerged as the team with the best record in baseball, standing at 98-55, with the postseason set to commence on October 3rd.
The first player to achieve this rare combination of speed and power was Oakland Athletics' slugger Jose Canseco, who accomplished the feat in 1988 with 42 home runs and 40 stolen bases. San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds replicated Canseco's achievement in 1996, hitting 42 homers and stealing 40 bases. In 1998, Seattle Mariners' Alex Rodriguez joined the club with 42 home runs and an impressive 46 stolen bases. Alfonso Soriano, playing for the Washington Nationals in 2006, was the last player to match this milestone, swatting 46 home runs and stealing 41 bases.
Notably, Acuña has not only reached the 40-40 Club but has also showcased extraordinary base-stealing skills in the 2023 season, having stolen a remarkable 68 bases, the highest in the Major Leagues as of Friday.
This year, the 25-year-old Venezuelan, who earned the National League Rookie of the Year title in 2018 and boasts four All-Star selections, is making a compelling case for his first Most Valuable Player award. He currently maintains an impressive batting average of .338, along with 101 runs batted in, in addition to his home run and stolen base achievements.
Acuña's Braves have emerged as the team with the best record in baseball, standing at 98-55, with the postseason set to commence on October 3rd.