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Have you ever seen a hug-’em-out, throw-’em-out double play?
Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. is a fan favorite for many reasons. His on-field production has made him one of the greats of the game, but his demeanor has made him one of the superstars off it.
Case in point: Monday night’s Braves-Rockies matchup, when a pair of fans wanted something of an exclusive meet-and-greet with the Atlanta outfielder during the game. While there wasn’t any harm done, Acuna almost seemed inviting of the fans-rushing-the-field situation before it turned slightly scary.
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Here’s what unfolded on Monday night:
What happened to Ronald Acuna Jr.?
On Aug. 29, a pair of fans rushed the Coors Field outfield to get a closer look at Acuna. The first fan got to Acuna, where the Braves outfielder put his arm around the him, while security rushed in to try and separate the two.
A second fan rushed in to also try and greet Acuna, while security continued to try and deescalate the situation. After the second fan arrived, Acuna hit the ground and other Braves players rushed over to try and help.
You can view the entire incident here:
Two fans ran onto the field and tried to grab Ronald Acuña Jr. pic.twitter.com/z04x9HhOlk
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) August 29, 2023
Coors Field security dragged the two away, while Acuna would escape the situation unharmed.
Following the game, Acuña detailed the incident, saying fans just wanted to snag a photo with him.
“I was a little scared at first, but I think the fans were out there and asking for a picture,” Acuña said through his interpreter following the game. “Security was able to get there, and so I think everything’s OK, everyone’s OK.”
Outfielder Kevin Pillar also addressed the incident, saying that the fans didn’t seem to mean any harm.
“I don’t think they had any ill intentions. I think that was pretty evident early on,” Pillar said. “Still, I mean, we have these rules and regulations in place. We’re supposed to feel safe on the field. Thankfully, they weren’t there to do any harm.”
The Braves and Rockies continue their set in Colorado on Tuesday night. Acuna is expected to be in the lineup. The fans will likely be in a different kind of lineup.