Acuña sets Atlanta-era record for most stolen bases

ATLANTA -- Move over Rafael Furcal, Ronald Acuña Jr. now has the distinction of stealing more bases than any other Braves player since the team moved to Atlanta in 1966.

Acuña set the Atlanta Braves record when he stole second base in the first inning of Monday night’s win against the Marlins at Truist Park. He now has 190 steals, which moved him past Furcal, who played for the Braves from 2000-05.

The reigning National League MVP didn’t know he was approaching Furcal’s record.

“I didn’t know I was on the brink to be honest,” Acuña said through an interpreter. “Usually when I’m approaching a record, usually someone tells me or I see it online. This time I didn’t see it. But I think it’s better this way. It’s great. I didn’t even know what had happened.”

Coming off the first 40-homer, 70-steals season in MLB history, Acuña has had a slow start in terms of power. He has just one homer through the Braves’ first 21 games. But he has 10 steals, which puts him just one behind Elly De La Cruz’s MLB-leading total.

Herman Long owns the Braves’ franchise record with 433 steals. Hank Aaron owns the Modern Era (since 1900) franchise record with 240 stolen bases.

“I just ask God to keep me healthy, so I can keep playing well, keep breaking records, and most importantly keep helping the team win,” Acuña said.