Freddie Freeman praises Ronald Acuña Jr. for Braves leadership

Atlanta Braves legend Freddie Freeman had nothing but kind words for Ronald Acuña Jr. before the MLB All-Star Game. 

Freddie Freeman’s last game with the Atlanta Braves was Game 6 of the 2021 World Series, a game Atlanta won to become world champs for the first time in over two decades. It cemented Freeman’s legacy as the greatest Brave of his generation and ensured him a place in Atlanta sports lore for all eternity.

That winter, Freeman left the Braves for the Dodgers — a simple financial decision made complex by Atlanta’s stubborn negotiation tactics and the inherent discomfort a breakup of that magnitude entails. It was a thoroughly heartbreaking affair for all parties involved.

In the aftermath of Freeman’s departure, much was written and reported about his time with the Braves. One source of controversy was the first baseman’s relationship with Ronald Acuña Jr., the young Braves outfielder who went out of his way to detail past tensions with Freeman.

Many viewed it as a generational clash: Freeman a member of the old guard, every bit the baseball traditionalist fans of a certain age celebrate. Acuña, on the other hand, represented a new age of players with fresh ideas and a stark lack of respect for baseball’s more stringent behavioral “rules”.

All that is in the past, however. The two shared the field for the first time since 2021 during Tuesday night’s All-Star Game. Before the festivities, Freeman spoke glowingly about Acuña’s development and leadership in Atlanta.

Freddie Freeman gives vote of approval to Ronald Acuña Jr. with Atlanta Braves

“As he has gotten older, he has just figured things out,” Freeman told reporters.

He recalled a personal anecdote of Ronnie’s first game in the big leagues. Acuña was called up from the minors while Atlanta was on the road in Cincinnati. “He wasn’t nervous, he wasn’t anything.” Freeman was blown away by the 20-year-old’s poise.

Acuña has always carried himself with a level of confidence and self-assurance that can rub some the wrong way. Maybe it even rubbed Freeman the wrong way at some point. But it’s clear Freeman now has nothing but love for Acuña, who has swiftly developed into one of baseball’s most formidable offensive players.

Right now the Braves and Dodgers are jockeying for position atop the National League. The MVP race has two viable candidates: Acuña and Freeman. It’s a fitting full-circle moment for the Braves fandom, not to mention the actual players. Acuña has truly taken over Freeman’s spot as the face of Braves baseball. If Atlanta can manage another deep postseason run, it won’t be long until Ronnie starts hearing his name in the same breath as Freddie’s name.

Right now Acuña leads in the MLB in runs (79), stolen bases (41), OPS (.990), OPS+ (162), and total bases (209). He’s hitting .331 at the plate with 21 homers and 55 RBIs.

The numbers for Freddie are similarly impressive: 17 homers and 61 RBIs on .320 average with potential gold glove status at first base.

Acuña and Freeman are both singularly gifted players. Both will have a special place in Braves history. It’s nice to see that any bad blood has washed away with time.