Acuna Stands and Stares...Then Sits.

Ronald Acuna was certainly taught to run through first base during his time in the minors…

Braves’ Bullpen HOLDS a Lead!

In a rational baseball world, the bullpen’s newfound success on Sunday in the Braves’ win over the Dodgers would be the big news. After all, for much of the season, the Braves’ bullpen has had a tough time of it, leading fans to wonder not if, but how the group would fail in its mission of the given moment. The fact that this feeling had not changed in the 18 days since Atlanta acquired three–three!–proven veteran relievers at the trade deadline makes the story bigger still. Each member of the pitching firm of Melancon, Martin and Greene has had a rough time in the first few weeks for Atlanta.

But Ronald Acuna Jr has a way of becoming the story. Usually in an electric, positive fashion–a booming lead-off home run, or acrobatics afield, be it a dazzling catch or a laser-like throw. On Sunday he became the story in a most un-Acuna-like way. He did not go all out. He stood at the plate to admire the long high drive he’d launched to right field, only to see it glance high off the wall rather than fly over it. When that became apparent, he had time only to make it to first base, changing the Braves’ situation from runners on 2nd and 3rd to 1st and 3rd. He was then thrown out trying to steal 2nd base, following which Albies and Freeman were unable to bring in the runner from third, leaving the team in a 3-0 deficit heading to the 4th inning. Acuna completed one more inning afield but following a “chat in the tunnel” with Manager Brian Snitker, he was lifted from the lineup prior to his next at bat, subbed out by Adam Duvall.

When Max Fried found the strike zone, and then his moxie, following the opening 2 harrowing innings, the Braves did what good teams do. They used the resources they had–in this case, recent call-up outfielder Rafael Ortega with his 6th inning grand slam–to win a game that they had dangled repeatedly to their opponents. That they did so without their best player, and by relying on their most tenuous component, the bullpen, was a signature moment in the growth of this team.

As for Acuna, no one expects him to miss the next game. Manager Snitker will be quizzed thoroughly regarding his handling of the situation. There will be a few who will dismiss Acuna’s act of celebration cum complacency as a harmless goof by an unassailable young talent. Those people are wrong. The reason to play hard all the time is that it’s the right thing to do. Joe DiMaggio famously pledged his everyday best effort since “….some kid might be there watching me for the first time”.

John Updike put it more eloquently in his essay on Ted Williams final game in Boston. He said “For me, Williams is the classic ballplayer of the game on a hot August weekday, before a small crowd when the only thing at stake is the tissue thin difference between a thing done well and a thing done ill”.

Either of these two classic cases explain well enough the reason Acuna-and all ballplayers-must hustle always. To find a more bluntly stated reason, consider runner Steve Prefontaine.who said “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift”.

No one who has seen Acuna play can fail to see his immense baseball gifts. He is a true 5 tool player, even in this era when that label is tossed about. When you add in his exuberance for the competition and his superlative instincts for the game, you have a star for the ages. And no one would suggest that his tendency to celebrate should be squelched. Or that his energy and joy need be tamped down. Just properly saved for those moments when the play is fully over and the game is paused.

Thanks to his teammates, and no thanks to him, Atlanta came back to win the game and the series over the National League’s best team.

In the process, they proved to themselves that their talent and focus can enable them to compete with the Dodgers in a short series. The bullpen did well against a very tough lineup. The manager’s standards were challenged and he responded properly, and with quiet resolve. All those things are good.

Did Acuna learn his lesson? Only time will tell. I’m betting yes.