Bryce Harper Sends Love to Ronald Acuña After Season-Ending Injury

Jul 4, 2021; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) reacts after hitting a two run home run against the Miami Marlins during the third inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 4, 2021; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) reacts after hitting a two run home run against the Miami Marlins during the third inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Braves announced Saturday night that Ronald Acuña Jr. will miss the rest of the season with surgery to repair a torn ACL. Recovery is extensive, and the young star is expected to miss 9-10 months.

This news has absolutely devastated the baseball world, which should tell you how beloved and revered Acuña is. He was having yet another incredible season and was slated to be an All-Star this week. Instead, he has a long road back ahead.

Fans, both major and minor league teams, and athletes have already begun to react, including Bryce Harper.

The Phillies were quick to send well-wishes to the Braves on his behalf, as did MLB. Some things are bigger than baseball, after all.

Acuña is the rare kind of player who is so good that even when he’s homering off your team or throwing your batters out, you’re not even mad. In fact, you can’t help but be impressed. It was heartbreaking to see him cry as he was taken off the field.

Baseball without Acuña is less fun, less dazzling, less… baseball. He’s known around the game as a true professional, and one of the most exciting young stars of today and tomorrow. Few players play with so much heart and with obvious joy.

Acuña truly embodies everything good about this game, as evidenced by the fact that fans from every team have been sending well-wishes and expressing their sadness over his injuries. You don’t see that very often.

There’s no doubt in my mind Acuña will come back from this stronger than ever. But for now, he’s already sorely missed.

Schedule