It started with a play that should’ve been routine—maybe even a highlight. Jarred Kelenic was chasing what looked like a sure home run. But he suddenly found himself thrown out at second base. The moment simply sent ripples through the Atlanta Braves clubhouse. When asked if he had addressed the mistake with Jarred Kelenic, the manager, Brian Snitker’s answer was rather dismissive as it was brief- “Was I supposed to?”
That remark seems to have struck a nerve. Ronald Acuna Jr, who was sidelined with injury but never far from the conversation. And he didn’t hold back, and simply declared, “If it were me, they would take me out of the game.”
That comment was then swiftly deleted. But the damage was done, and the tension only escalated. Now, however, he has come out to apologize.
Ronald Acuña Jr. addresses the media about his controversial tweet from last month.
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Acuna came out to apologize for his social media post. Acuña via translator and Braves Director of Baseball Player Relations Franco García said,” That was just a moment of frustration for me. Thankfully, I was able to apologize to Snit. I was in the wrong. I shouldn’t have done that. But thankfully, I was able to apologize to Snit to his face and to apologize to my teammates. We’re just turning the page and moving on.” Meanwhile, Snitker has gone on to downplay the drama, insisting, “We’ve been talking every day. It’s all good.” But while that shows all is good and they are moving on, there is another angle- one that reveals a deep tension in the clubhouse.
Former Braves outfielder and analyst Jeff Francoeur is weighing in on the controversy and delivering a controversial take. He suggested that it doesn’t matter for the team if Acuna is there or not. “We won a World Series without Ronald; we went to the playoffs with him….You don’t have to have him.” Ouch, harsh! Now, the Braves fans sense a rift in the team, and they have come out to support Acuna.
Atlanta Braves fans are not okay with Acuna apologizing
One fan, completely clueless, asked, “Wait, what did Acuña actually tweet? I totally missed that.” Well, it is understandable because that comment was deleted quite swiftly. But basically, Acuna called out the double standard in the team. The post, now deleted, though, seems to have seeded the thought of how the Atlanta Braves treat their stars. Some think that Acuna was treated unfairly. And with Francoeur basically giving such derogatory statements, things are heating up.
An Atlanta Braves fan jumped in with, “Free my mans, he ain’t done nothing wrong.” And honestly, that does hit home. When the front office and media act like Acuna’s presence is optional, it risks pushing the player who puts his heart into the team away. The Braves roster is hungry for energy and power now, and now is not the right time to downplay Acuna’s worth. In today’s game, star players aren’t just about stats, but they carry the weight of their leadership.
Another voice shared, “I hate that he had to do this even though he was 100% right.” But it’s crucial to understand that sometimes one does do things for the greater good. Right now, internal issues are not okay for a team that’s sitting fourth in the NL East at 9-13. The injuries are piling up, and Ace Spencer Strider’s re-injury has been the latest blow. The offense without Acuna lacks that spark. So maybe instead of feeding the remarks, Acuna is simply following a let-go attitude.
A user chimed in, “I kind of wish he’d just double down on it.” And people sympathizing with him is so predictable. You have to be able to see where he is coming from. Sure, Acuna’s stats took a hit. But honestly, he has barely had a chance to find his rhythm before ending up in IL. A torn ACL is no joke, especially when it’s the second time on a different knee. He is also 27 years old, and people feel he still has time to prove his worth.
One more on-point analogy by a user as he pointed out, “Acuna gives prepared, media-trained responses lol. No hate. Feels how he feels. Just saying.” And yes, his apology does feel like a step in the right direction as he edges closer to joining the Braves’ lineup. Now he is working his way back with the team’s Florida Complex League squad in North Port, Florida. They have until June 1 to bring him up, and when the time is right, he will head to Atlanta.
For now, Acuna for sure will need some time to bounce back into his prime producing years. As for the team behavior, do you think that the team has double standards? Let us know in the comments.
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