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Ronald Acuña Jr. is having a season to with the Atlanta Braves. The Venezuelan outfielder, also known as "The Ab" and "The Beast," has been on fire this year and recently tied a curious record held by Hall of Famer Ty Cobb.
Acuña Jr. became just the second player in MLB history since 1911 to achieve 75 or more extra-base hits and 60 or more stolen bases in a single season, ing Cobb who accomplished the feat with the Detroit Tigers.
Cobb, who won a Triple Crown, 12 batting titles, and an MVP award over his 24-season career, is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.
In a recent press conference, Acuña Jr. discussed his recent home run and his approach at the plate. "I was just trying to make good , and the most important thing was that it was a home run," he said.
When asked about pitchers still throwing him easy pitches early in games, he replied, "They have to throw the ball somewhere, and I'm just going to try to make good ."
Acuña Jr. is also eyeing another milestone: becoming just the fifth player in MLB history to achieve a 40-40 season (40 home runs and 40 stolen bases) in a single year. "Everything is possible in life," he said in a recent press conference.
"The goal has never been that, but now that we're close to reaching 40 [home runs], we're close to finishing the season, and everything is very tight. We need health to keep winning games."
He's on pace to be the National League MVP
According to Braves reporter Grant McAuley, Acuña Jr. is on pace to finish the season with 40 home runs, 74 stolen bases, 103 RBIs, and 218 hits. If he does achieve a 40-40 season, it would be a historic feat and cement his status as one of the game's brightest stars.
Acuña Jr.'s impressive season has also put him in the conversation for the National League MVP award. His ability to steal bases and lead his team to victory with his offensive prowess has made him a fan favorite and a top contender for the prestigious award.