Ronald Acuna Jr.'s power and speed come with heart-breaking fragility.
The young Braves star's dazzling gifts blaze against a history of devastating injuries.
Acuna on Sunday afternoon in Pittsburgh suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his left knee on a routine motion, turning to head back to second base after halting a move to steal third. His left knee buckled from the seemingly innocuous spin.
In 2021, Acuna was lost for the season when he tore the ACL in his right knee chasing a fly ball in Miami, a much more athletically challenging play. Without Acuna, Atlanta won the World Series, but Braves fans still mourned his absence.
Fans could understand Acuna hurting himself in 2021 while leaping for a fly ball in right field. This year's torn ACL making an every-day turn on the infield dirt was more difficult to accept.
After winning the National League Most Valuable Player Award last season, hitting 42 home runs and stealing 73 bases, Acuna limped off Pittsburgh's sun-splashed field, his season over in an instant.
Baseball fans throughout the nation hope that Acuna returns with the same grace and power, enjoying a long and successful career.
But many fear that injuries will prevent Acuna from achieving his full potential.
Acuna's only 26 years old. It's sad that he's gone for another season.
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