Ronald Acuna Jr becomes founder of elite club but Cubs broadcasters puzzled by decision to stop game for highlights
Ronald Acuña Jr. is having a historic baseball season.
But pausing an MLB game to honor a player in the 10th inning with the score tied?
That interesting decision did not sit well with Chicago Cubs' TV announcers on Wednesday night.
“We’re really stopping the game to get a highlight montage?” a stunned announcer asked, with the contest locked at 5-5 and Acuña’s teammate, Ozzie Albies, waiting to bat.
“Can we get the base after the game?” a second announcer said. “This is pretty absurd.”
It got worse for the Cubs when Albies singled to right field and drove in Acuña for the game-winning run and a thrilling 6-5 Atlanta Braves victory.
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“Good thing the game ended on like the next pitch,” a fan tweeted. “Would hate for them to have to wait another minute.”
Another fan was equally unimpressed with the sarcastic TV commentary that took a shot at Atlanta's in-game celebration of the likely National League MVP.
"They are just salty losers," the fan . "40-70 is an incredible accomplishment. I hope next year Ronald goes for 50-50 and he hits number 50 at Wrigley. Cue the highlight montage."
Acuña’s season has also been absurd.
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He became the first player in MLB history to hit 40 home runs and steal 70 bases, creating his own 40-70 club.
“It’s really an incredible moment,” the 25-year-old Venezuelan said.
The former National League Rookie of the year and four-time All-Star is having a career season at just 25 years old.
Acuña is batting .336 with 41 home runs, 104 RBI, an astounding 146 runs and a 1.010 OPS.
No wonder Atlanta has won 102 games and is the favorite to emerge from the National League and host another World Series.
After struggling with injuries, Acuña has been everything the Braves were hoping for when they signed the multi-tooled star outfielder to an eight-year, $100 million contract in 2019.
The Braves won the World Series in 2021 by beating the Houston Astros 4-2, despite Acuña missing the Fall Classic due to a leg injury.
After an uneven 2022 campaign, Acuña has been the most complete player in baseball not named Shohei Ohtani and has the Braves staring at another possible World Series run.
A 40-40 season used to be a huge deal in baseball.
Acuña made MLB history by creating his own personal 40-70 club – and he still has a few games left to add to those staggering numbers.
“It’s one of those numbers that wasn’t impossible but seemed impossible,” Acuña said. “Thankfully, we were able to get it done.”