Acuña posts first 40-homer, 60-stolen base season in MLB history
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. has become the only player in MLB history to hit 40 home runs and record 60 stolen bases during a single season.
Acuña launched his 40th homer of the year off Washington Nationals left-hander Patrick Corbin on Friday to accomplish the unprecedented feat. He already has 68 steals.
40-homer season unlocked for @ronaldacunajr24 🔓 pic.twitter.com/p1hNbllrjH
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) September 22, 2023
"It's incredible," Acuña said through an interpreter, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. "You think of how many players have played in the big leagues, and my name is alone. But I'm sure somebody will break that record, too."
The NL MVP favorite is just the fifth member of the 40-40 club. Barry Bonds (1996), Alex Rodriguez (1998), Jose Canseco (1988), and Alfonso Soriano (2006) are the only other major leaguers to reach the mark.
Acuña, who's also now the only member of the 40-50 club, leads the majors in hits (209) and runs (143) while posting a 1.012 OPS.
The 25-year-old's remarkable season comes after returning from a torn ACL in April 2022.
The Braves went on to win the game 9-6 at Nationals Park, improving their stranglehold on the National League's top seed with their 99th victory of the season.