VIDEO: 21-Year-Old Ronald Acuña Jr. Clearly Ready to Party When Braves Clinch NL East
By Jerry Trotta
It's Ronald Acuña Jr.'s world, and we're just living in it. On Thursday, the young superstar launched home run No. 40 of 2019 as he inches closer to the elusive 40/40 feat. More notably, Acuña became the youngest player in MLB history to sock 40 dingers and swipe 30 bases in a single season. After the Braves' win over the Phillies, the All-Star outfielder was asked if he was looking forward to celebrating Atlanta's inevitable clinching of the NL East crown now that he is 21 years old and permitted to consume alcoholic beverages in the United States. And to say that the young superstar is amped would be a complete understatement.
"Last year they wouldn't let me drink because obviously I was a minor. This year is going to be different."
— Justin Felder (@Justin_FOX5) September 19, 2019
--#Braves *21*-year-old Ronald Acuña Jr. on the prospect of a second straight NL East title celebration pic.twitter.com/uWOHywesLb
After Thursday's dub, the Braves' magic is now down to just one, so there's no doubting that last year's NL Rookie of the Year is counting down the moments until he's able to crack open his first legal bottle.
.@ronaldacunajr24 became just the third player in baseball history to hit 40 home runs in a single season prior to his 22nd birthday. Acuña Jr. joined Eddie Mathews, who hit 47 in 1953 as a 21-year-old, and Mel Ott, who had 42 as a 20-year-old in 1929.#ChopOn pic.twitter.com/BeT6npVuZU
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 19, 2019
Acuña will have the chance to do just that should Atlanta defeat the Giants in their series-opener at SunTrust Park Friday.
Get your bubbly ready, Pheñom.