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Watch Ronald Acuna Jr.'s epic celebration as he becomes first member of MLB's 40-70 club
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- Watch Ronald Acuna Jr.'s epic celebration as he becomes first member of MLB's 40-70 club
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. is making history in style.
After becoming the first player in MLB history to record 40 home runs and 70 stolen bases in a single season on Wednesday, Acuña celebrated by literally swiping second base. He pulled the base out of the ground and triumphantly hoisted it over his head, before a staff member retrieved the base and transported the historic memento to the dugout for safekeeping.
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The home crowd at Truist Park chanted "MVP."
Acuña became the sole member of the 40-70 club in extra innings against the Chicago Cubs . In the bottom of the 10th inning, Acuña hit an RBI single to right field to bring in teammate Kevin Pillar to tie the game 5-5. Acuña immediately advanced to scoring position by stealing second base, his second steal of the night and 70th of the season. Ozzie Albies walked it off with a single that scored Acuña to defeat the Cubs 6-5.
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"It's one of those numbers that wasn't impossible but seemed impossible," Acuña said after the game, via translator. "Thankfully, we were able to get it done."
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Cubs broadcasters were not amused with the delay in the game for the celebration, calling it "pretty absurd."
For Acuña and the Braves, though, it was "really an incredible moment."
With the win, the Braves (102-56) also clinched home-field advantage through the NLCS.
On Tuesday, the Braves became the third team in MLB history to hit 300 home runs in a single season after the 2019 Minnesota Twins and the 2019 New York Yankees .
Contributing: Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ronald Acuña Jr. creates 40-70 club in Braves' walk-off win
