‘No. 1 for me in my career’: Ronald Acuña Jr. soaking in WBC experience with Venezuela

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Ronald Acuña Jr. buried his face in his glove in right field Monday evening, then lifted his eyes to the sky as Daniel Palencia struck out Italy’s Sam Antonacci, sending Team Venezuela to the World Baseball Classic final.

It was a moment memorable not only to Acuña, but to all of Venezuela. The team had secured its first-ever appearance in a WBC championship game in the tournament’s 20-year history.

They will face the United States on Tuesday for the title.

The atmosphere at loanDepot Park in Miami resembled that of a World Series. Venezuelan players and fans alike erupted in celebration. The passion was evident. Undeniable, even.

“This is No. 1 for me in my career,” Acuña told reporters after Venezuela’s win Monday. “I love Atlanta a lot, but before I played in Atlanta, I was born in Venezuela. Venezuela made Ronald Acuña Jr.”

“It’s extremely happy. It’s on the streets. They’re drinking right now, and that makes me happier than anybody else in this world. Because this is the only thing that I can do. This is the only thing that I can do for my country,” Venezuela manager Omar López said. “That’s the only thing that I’m going to take back home. And 20 years from now, I’ll remember I made my country happy at least for one or two days. That’s all I need.”

Acuña has been in the spotlight — as usual — throughout the entire tournament. His game‑tying infield single in the seventh inning Monday helped spark a crucial comeback against Italy, setting the stage for consecutive RBI hits from Maikel García and Luis Arráez that gave Venezuela the lead late in the contest.

Acuña hit a leadoff home run off right‑hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto to open Venezuela’s quarterfinal matchup against defending WBC champion Japan. Venezuela fell behind but rallied for an 8‑5 victory, highlighted by a three‑run blast from Wilyer Abreu that put Venezuela ahead for good and sent loanDepot Park into a frenzy.

Acuña is hitting .263 with a .979 OPS, two home runs, four RBIs and two stolen bases in the tournament. He will bat leadoff and play in right field Tuesday.

Right-hander Nolan McLean is on the bump for the U.S. Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez is on the mound for Venezuela. First pitch is scheduled for 8 p.m. eastern Tuesday in Miami.

Acuña’s Braves teammates await his return to spring training as they prepare for the regular season, which opens March 27 at Truist Park against Bobby Witt Jr. and the Kansas City Royals. Among those teammates is second baseman Ozzie Albies, who represented the Netherlands earlier in the tournament.

The Netherlands was eliminated in pool play, but Albies created one of the most memorable moments of the Classic by hitting the first walk‑off home run in WBC history — a three‑run shot to beat Nicaragua.

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