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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 22: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves hits a home run in the first inning against the Washington Nationals on September 22, 2023 at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. The home run was Acuna’s 40th of the season. (Photo by Greg Fume/Getty Images)
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Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. etched his name into MLB history Friday night when he hit his 40th home run of the season and became the fifth member to join baseball’s exclusive 40-40 club.
Along with Washington Nationals pitcher Patrick Corbin’s first inning, Acuna became the fifth player in Major League Baseball history to join the elite 40-40 club — players who have hit 40 home runs and stolen 40 bases in a single season.
Oakland Athletics Jose Canseco was the first player to display that rare combination of speed and power, hitting 42 home runs and stealing 40 bases in 1988. Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants matched Canseco’s stat line in 1996 with 42 homers and 40 steals. In 1998, the Seattle Mariners’ Alex Rodriguez belted 42 home runs and had 46 stolen bases. The last player to accomplish this feat was Alfonso Soriano in 2006 when he hit 46 home runs and stole 41 bases for the Washington Nationals.
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Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr. gets a hug from manager Brian Snitker after hitting a solo home run during Friday’s game against the Washington Nationals, Sept. 22.
No other member of the 40-40 club comes close to the base-stealing prowess the 25-year-old Venezuelan displayed in 2023. As of Friday, Acuna had stolen 68 bases this season. leading the major leagues.
The 2018 National League Rookie of the Year and four-time All-Star has made a strong case for his first Most Valuable Player award this year. Acuña sports a .338 batting average and 101 RBIs to go along with his impressive home run and stolen base totals.
of Acuna The Braves boast the best record The 98-55 postseason in baseball begins Oct. 3.
