May 21, 2023; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) singles against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
FeaturedMLBBy Sam Neumann on

If the National League MVP voting culminated over the weekend, voters would have difficulty choosing anyone other than Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr.

While Acuña went hitless in his team’s 8-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on Friday night, he accomplished something that has never been done in the game’s history. After he walked to lead off the bottom half of the first at Truist Field, Acuña broke for second. With his first-inning steal of second base, Acuña became the first player in Major League Baseball history with 15 home runs and 30 stolen bases in the first 70 games of a season.

In addition to Acuña, only three other players—Eric Davis, Rickey Henderson, and César Cedeño—have accomplished that same feat, along with 50 RBIs, in the first half of an MLB season. Acuña surpassed the mark previously done by Cedeño, who did so in 71 games back in 1974.

Cedeño finished the 1974 season with 26 home runs, 57 stolen bases, and 102 RBIs in 160 games.

If Acuña stays healthy, he can likely eclipse those numbers. In the middle of June, Acuña is hitting .327/.401/.569 with 15 home runs, 30 stolen bases, and 45 RBIs. He also has a .971 OPS, which ranks fourth in the league, behind only Shohei Ohtani, Yordan Alvarez, and Corbin Carroll.

Those in the world of Major League Baseball reacted to Acuña’s absurd feat on social media:

[Sarah Langs, ESPN Stats & Info]

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About Sam Neumann

Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.

View all posts by Sam Neumann