Atlanta Braves superstar Ronald Acuna Jr. is dealing with a second ACL tear in four years, and he is still processing the emotions that come with another season being ended by a significant injury. So much so that he said on Thursday he has not had a chance to respond to all the well wishes he has received because he randomly breaks down and starts crying.
He also said he felt like he has let his team down.Â
“All that support finds me at home crying by myself because I feel like I’m the one abandoning the team,” he said on Thursday, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). “It feels like I’m the one letting everyone down.”
It is almost impossible for anybody to put themselves in his position at this point, but reasonable people — and the Braves themselves — should know that Acuna Jr. did not let anybody down and that this is the type of bad luck that just sometimes happens in sports.Â
Acuna Jr. was injured during the Braves’ 8-1 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday afternoon. After opening the game with a lead-off double to right center field, he attempted to steal third on a delayed steal. After taking just a couple of steps toward third base he dropped to the ground in obvious pain in his leg. An MRI after the game revealed the torn ACL in his left knee.
He tore the ACL in his right knee two years ago.Â
The Braves went on to win the World Series that season without Acuna Jr.Â
It would take an incredible effort to repeat that this season. The Braves do still have one of the best rosters in the league and figure to be in the trade market to get some help in replacing their star. Acuna Jr. won the National League MVP a year ago.Â