ATLANTA – Ronald Acuña Jr. isn’t letting the coronavirus pandemic silence his love of baseball.
The empty seats at the Atlanta Braves’ newly renamed Truist Park have left the young Venezuelan star with more space to yell encouragement, sing and joke during workouts. Sometimes he teases or encourages his buddy, second baseman Ozzie Albies.
Acuña’s constant chatter means there will be cheering at Braves games – even without the fans.
“You can hear his voice,” Albies said. “It’s so clear. He’s always singing, always loud screaming. He enjoys the game.”
Acuña, only 22, is an important lead voice for the Braves in Major League Baseball’s shortened 60-game regular season. Outfielder Nick Markakis has opted out, and first baseman Freddie Freeman has been absent from training camp due to a positive test for the coronavirus, taking away two of the team’s veteran leaders.