Ronald Acuña Jr. proudly hosts All-Star Game

ATLANTA – As Ronald Acuña Jr. entered the Coca Cola Roxy for the All-Star Game media day, fans roared when they saw the Braves star cross the sidewalk from Truist Park. 

Acuña raced to his spot on the podium. The 2018 National League Rookie of the Year and 2023 NL MVP couldn’t contain his smile as he sat down in front of a crowd of media. Three-time MVP Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ Japanese star holding court directly across the Roxy, was the only NL All-Star surrounded by a larger media contingent. 

Atlanta is the Venezuelan’s second home, and he’s proud to represent the Braves at the Midsummer Classic in front of his home fans. 

“I’m super happy to play with all these superstars in my home,” Acuña Jr. said.

NL Starter

Acuña, 27, donned his white Atlanta jersey and wore his hat lifted up. He was named a starter after Dodgers right fielder Teoscar Hernandez opted out. 

Acuña will start in left field and bat second for the NL.

“Without this city there is no Ronald Acuña Jr., so I am really appreciative of this city,” he says.

His return to the Midsummer Classic is a testament to the work he put in since tearing his left knee ACL last year. It was his second ACL tear in two years. He tore his right knee ACL in 2021.

Recovering from two ACL injuries is difficult. Some wondered if he would ever return to stardom. Acuña, however, never believed his career was over. He credits his family for motivating him through the physical training he went through. 

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“God is the one in charge of everything,” he said. “I believe things happen for a reason. Being able to be All-Star after those two injuries, I thank God and all the fans that made it possible”

Family Affair

This All-Star Game is even more special for Acuña because his cousin Maikel Garcia of the Royals earned his first All-Star bid. Once Ronald Acuña heard the news, he called Garcia 16 times. 

“I think we are going to try to have fun like when we compete in our town,” Garcia said. “We’ve played together on the streets in our country and now in the majors. That is very special.”

When the two return to Venezuela during the offseason, they compete in an intense softball game between the two families. 

Garcia wants to beat his cousin at the Midsummer Classic. Nonetheless both are ecstatic to share the field at the All-Stars together.