Ronald Acua Jr. loves a tweet that makes fun of the Philadelphia Phillies.
During the 2023 campaign, Ronald Acua Jr. delivered a spectacular performance. He became the only player in history to hit 40 home runs and steal 70 bases, and his first NL MVP trophy is practically assured.
However, I believe Acua would gladly sacrifice his achievements and individual honors for another World Series ring. Despite being 14.0 games weaker than the Braves in the regular season, the Phillies ended the Braves season for the second year in a row. It was an all-too-familiar sensation for Braves Nation, but I believe I speak for everyone when I say it became a much easier pill to swallow after witnessing the Phillies crumble against the Diamondbacks.
Philadelphia was able to make it to the World Series a year ago, but they were eventually overmatched by the Astros. That had to sting, but most knowledgeable people would acknowledge Houston was a significantly better ball club than Philadelphia a year ago. The Phillies had nothing to hang their heads about.
This year was much different. The Diamondbacks are a scrappy bunch, but this is a team that finished just six games over .500 with a negative run differential. They also ended the season 10 games under .500 over the final three months. On paper, there is nothing the Diamondbacks do as well as the Phillies, but the game isn’t played on paper.
What made the loss even more tragic was that the Phillies came back home for Games 6 and 7, needing just one win to clinch the National League pennant for the second consecutive season. Prior to Game 6, they were a perfect 6-0 in the postseason at Citizens Bank Ballpark. But the snakes prevailed, as the Phillies’ dollar lineup disappeared when the stakes were the highest.
It was a stunning ending that left the entire city of Philadelphia in shambles, but it couldn’t have happened to a better fan base. Braves Country quickly took to Twitter to mock the Phillies for falling short once again, reminding them they haven’t won a World Series since people were walking around with first generation iPhones. Even Ronald Acuña Jr. got in on the action.
Acua may not have had the postseason he desired, but such is the nature of baseball. He is the least concerning of all the players that underperformed in the playoffs. He’s proven in the past that he can step up in the most difficult situations, and his confidence shines through even in the face of hardship. Acua’s best days are still ahead of him. I’m not so sure about the Phillies’ roster, most of whom will never know what a World Series ring feels like.
