Ronald Acuña Jr isn’t identified for giving English interviews. However after the Braves’ 4-1 win over the Colorado Rockies, the Atlanta famous person shocked followers by answering questions in English, leaving his interpreter, Franco Garcia, momentarily speechless.
In reality, the Venezuelan outfielder had already signaled his intent throughout spring coaching, answering practically each query in English throughout an eight-minute chat with reporters earlier than the 2025 season and hinting at extra surprises to come back.
Followers Cherished Ronald Acuña Jr.’s English, However It Was His Interpreter’s Response That Went Viral
After going 2-for-3 on the plate with three runs scored, two RBIs, and a towering 410-foot homer – his seventh of the season, Acuña Jr. spoke with Wiley Ballard, the Braves reporter for the FanDuel Sports activities Community.
Acuña Jr. stored issues easy within the interview, answering questions on his residence run, Spencer Strider hanging out 13 over six scoreless innings, and the crew’s current wins.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. It’s wonderful,” he mentioned with a smile. “We have to play higher and keep wholesome, and assist my crew win a whole lot of video games.”
At first, all the things appeared regular: Acuña Jr. stood beside his interpreter, Franco Garcia, who was prepared, as at all times, to translate between English and Spanish. However this time, Acuña Jr. determined to reply in English by himself, which caught even Garcia off guard, who stepped jokingly away from the body.
franco backing away 😭 pic.twitter.com/VPxNPuPcES
— Luz (@luzthegoosey) June 14, 2025
Greater than Acuna Jr. talking English, it was his interpreter’s response to watching the outfielder handle on his personal that went viral. Right here’s how the followers reacted:
One fan commented, “That’s the smile of his job safety slipping away.”
Whereas one other joked, “a lot aura you may’t be round.”
“Looooove it. Franco seems so proud! How superior!?” a fan remarked.
“It’s so cool to see Ronald’s English enhance a lot together with his time with the Braves. Franco’s like a proud dad,” one other fan famous.
Extra: ‘Welcome to Hell’ – Ronald Acuña Jr. Sends Daring Message to MLB Rivals in Comeback Marketing campaign
Not each fan was impressed, as one particular person posted: “Embarrassing it took him this lengthy to study English imo. However glad he’s doing higher.”
Nevertheless, that take was rapidly shut down by others who praised Acuña’s effort.
“He’s defined this earlier than in the event you bothered to really care…It’s not that he didn’t study English. It’s about being on a nationwide stage and never wanting one thing misinterpreted and have the media run with it,” a fan replied.
Whereas the 2023 Nationwide League MVP continues his elite 2025 marketing campaign, slashing .390/.478/.701 with 13 RBIs, seven homers, and 18 runs, he’s additionally centered on constructing a deeper reference to followers, which is likewise spectacular.
By opting to talk English in his interviews, Acuña Jr. is revealing a aspect of himself that’s past that of only a baseball famous person.
