Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr. 40-70 video tribute during 10th inning draws salty reaction from Cubs broadcasters
Grass, dirt and plenty of salt made up the field at Truist Park on Wednesday night.
Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. is angling for his first MVP award after a season for the ages. Acuna has mashed 41 home runs and snagged 70 stolen bases, becoming the first player in MLB history to join the 40-70 club; this comes after Acuna was the first player to join the 40-60 club a week ago.
That has earned him plenty of adulation across the sport, especially from his franchise and home crowd. That fact can rub some the wrong way, apparently.
MORE: Breaking down Ronald Acuna Jr.’s historic 40-70 season
Cubs broadcasters Jon “Boog” Sciambi and Jim Deshaies were none-too-pleased on Wednesday night, when the Truist Park production squad decided to play a sizzle reel of Acuna’s season in the middle of an extra-inning game. With Acuna on second base in a 5-5 game in the bottom of the 10th, the ballpark video board paid homage to the superstar outfielder, upsetting the Cubs booth:
“We’re really stopping the game to do a highlight montage?”
The Cubs broadcasters had an interesting take on the stoppage of play after Ronald Acuña Jr. joined the 40/70 club. pic.twitter.com/ETCLvnK7J8
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) September 28, 2023
“Are we really stopping the game to do a highlight montage?” Sciambi questioned.
“Can we get the base after the game? This is — this is pretty absurd. It’s just a hell of an accomplishment but…” Deshaies added.
“Totally, but you can’t stop a game to run a highlight montage.”
While the timing is suboptimal, plenty of games have been paused to honor players and their accomplishments over the years, so this shouldn’t be anything new to Sciambi or Deshaies.
MORE: MLB magic numbers — Playoff bracket and more heading into October
That said, with the Cubs’ playoff hopes teetering on the edge, it makes sense why
The Braves would take the 6-5 win over the Cubs two pitches later with Acuna scoring the game-winning run on an Ozzie Albies walk-off single. How’s that for salt in the wound?