Meeting someone who inspires you is the ultimate dream for many of us. We all enter the delusional realm of meeting our idols at least once. Although the reality is far from this rosy picture; the probability of being up close to your favorite is quite slim.
But humor me for a second….what if you do get a chance to see them? What would be your first words to them?
Regardless of many possible scenarios in your head, you would never expect that your encounter would hurt them in any way. That is the absolutely worst-case scenario. And this precise nightmare unfolded for two young fellas on August 29.
A rush of adrenaline filled the Coors Field as the Atlanta Braves dominated the Colorado Rockies by 14-4. The entire stadium cheered for Ronald Acuña Jr.’s stellar leading performance. But the vibe shifted suddenly when two fans rushed to the outfield to express their admiration. Within seconds, chaos ensued as security guards rushed in to protect the player and, in turn, sustained a fall.
Why Was Ronald Acuña Jr. Attacked?
Ronald Acuña Jr., born on December 18, 1997, first signed with the Atlanta Braves for $ 100,000 as an international free agent in July 2014.
Because of his sheer determination and consistent performance, he was bumped to the major leagues on April 25, 2018. He became the youngest player in Major League Baseball. And there was no looking back for him since then.
The young player has been declared a four-time All-star. His stats have been the golden ticket for the team to advance further. He became only the fourth player with 25+ homers and 60+ steals in an MLB season.
He was the hero of the day as he struck his 29th home run of the season. And to top it off, he gave his career-best performance with four hits and five RBIs. One more step, and he is ready for the high milestone of being the first player to score 30 home runs and 60 stolen bases in a season in MLB history.
Naturally, the entire stadium cheered for the 25-year-old Venezuelan player. Braves fans attributed the team’s victory to Acuña’s warrior-like performance. Amidst these ecstatic fans, two young men, 21 and 23, ran into the field towards Acuña. It must be noted that they did not attack Acuña. They did not approach him with ill intentions. They just wanted to meet their idol.
What Happened to Ronald Acuña Jr?
As seen in the video, one fan first got to the player and put his hand around his shoulder to click pictures. Acuña also obliged by posing for the picture, considering his gratitude for his supporting fans. But then the security guards rushed in to assure the valuable player’s security. The fan hugged Acuña tightly as the guards tried to get him off. Just then, another fan ran towards the huddle, which led to Acuña falling over. Other players rushed in to check whether he was okay.
Acuña said through an interpreter–
“I was a little scared at first.”
“I think the fans were out there and asking for pictures. I really couldn’t say anything because at that point, security was already there and we were already kind of tangled up, but security was able to get there and everything’s OK. We’re all OK and I hope they’re OK.”
Teammate Kevin Pillar also expressed his concern–
“Thankfully, they weren’t there to do any harm, but you just never know during those situations.”
“They were extreme fans and wanted to get a picture, put their hands on him. But in no way is it appropriate for people to leave the stands, even more to put their hands on someone else.”
The two Denver residents were charged for misdemeanor. The Denver Police Department released the affidavits of these charges on Tuesday. The 21 and 23 -year-old are ordered to appear in court on September 27.
What is your take on this case? Do you think the fans should be penalized? What are your opinions on Acuna’s performance?
Let us know in the comments section below.
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