Ron Acuna eats humble pie, reverses criticism of Braves manager after public backlash
Loosening the Leash: The Ronald Acuna Jr. Saga with the Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are riding a rollercoaster this season, managing to settle around the .500 mark, winning seven out of their last eleven games. The team's prospects are looking up, with starting pitcher Spencer Strider and right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. set to join the lineup. Acuna Jr., the 2023 NL MVP, kicked off his return from injury with a rehab assignment this week.
However, it's not all sunshine and roses. Acuna's comeback was overshadowed by a social media controversy that put him and manager Brian Snitker in the headlines.
Acuna found himself in the eye of the storm back in April, when a post on social media seemed to dub Snitker's handling of an incident involving Braves outfielder Jarred Kelenic as questionable. Kelenic had failed to run out of the batter's box in a game against the Twins, assuming he hit a home run only to be tagged out at second base. Despite the blunder, Snitker didn't address the issue during or after the game. This, coupled with his decision not to speak with Kelenic about the incident, sparked a social media outcry.
Acuna's post, though brief, suggested a double standard in Snitker's approach to disciplining players. "If it were me, they would take me out of the game," he wrote, referencing a past incident in 2019 when he was removed from a game for a similar base running error.
The comment caused a stir, but Acuna finally addressed the issue for the first time on Wednesday. He acknowledged that he was wrong and took full responsibility for his actions. He met with Snitker and his teammates, admitting his mistake and expressing regret. Acuna's sincere apology helped clear the air and eased any potential tension within the team.
Setback turned into comeback as Acuna hit a home run in his first game action since tearing his knee ligament. The homer, in a Florida Complex League game, marked a significant step forward in his rehabilitation journey. Moving on seems like the best strategy for both Acuna Jr. and the Braves, especially considering the incident courtesy of a social media post happened all the way back in 2019.
Amid the ongoing saga of Ronald Acuna Jr.'s return with the Atlanta Braves, sports enthusiasts might find an interesting betting odds scenario related to Acuna's performance in Major League Baseball, given his comeback from injury and recent apology for a past social media controversy. In the midst of the team's improving MLB chances, the odds could potentially change if Acuna continues to make significant contributions on the field.
