40, 70, MVP? — The Year of Acuña Jr.

09/28/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Ronald Acuña Jr. Notches More History With 40/70 Club, Shines in Thriller as Braves Gut-Punch Cubs (6-5, 10 Innings)

How do you do it, Mr. Acuña Jr.?! The speed. The bat. The big moments. Just special. The incoming National League MVP just did something no other baseball player has done before on a night where he shined in every facet of the game. Braves superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. stole two bases in Wednesday’s stunning comeback against the Cubs to log his 69th and 70th swiped bag of the season. After clobbering his 40th home run just two days ago, he’s now the charter member of MLB’s 40/70 club. In fact, Acuña Jr. was the MLB’s first 30/60 member just a few weeks back. The numbers are staggering for a guy who is only 25 years old and currently on deck for his first MVP award. Here’s a look at just how ridiculous these stats are:

 

Members of the 40-40 Club

1. Ronald Acuña Jr., 2023 (41 HRs, 70 SBs)

2. Alex Rodriguez, 1998 (42 HRs, 46 SBs)

3. Alfonso Soriano, 2006 (46 HRs, 41 SBs)

4. Barry Bonds, 1996 (40 HRs, 40 SBs)

5. Jose Conseco, 1988 (42 HRs, 40 SBs)

 

Madness. Five members of the 40/40 club, and this guy swipes 70 bags. Get out of here!

 

Most HRs by Player With 70+ SBs

1. Ronald Acuña Jr., 2023 (41 HRs)

2. Rickey Henderson, 1986 (28 HRs)

3. Eric Davis, 1986 (27 HRs)

4. Rickey Henderson, 1985 (24 HRs)

5. Lou Brock, 1966 (15 HRs)

 

Few players have ever had the speed to steal like this and still crack the bat.

 

In the Game: The Cubs blew multiple one-run leads before Atlanta forced extras. When all was said and done, it was Acuna Jr. who notched the game-tying RBI and scored the winning run on Ozzie Albies’ walk-off single in a debilitating loss for Chicago (6-5, 10 Innings). The loss means the Cubs and Marlins are dead-even for the third NL Wild Card. The D-backs hold a two-game lead on both. For the Braves, they clinched home field throughout the NL playoffs. One more win secures home field throughout the entire postseason. Have night (or a season), Mr. Acuña Jr.!

 

Watch: Ronald Acuña Jr. Makes 40/70 History in Braves’ Win (6-5, 10 Innings)

 

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