It was supposed to be all good times in Atlanta this weekend — the Braves had just pulled off their first series sweep of 2025, spirits were sky-high, and the vibes? Immaculate.
But just hours before Sunday’s game, a cloud rolled in, and it had Ronald Acuña Jr.’s Twitter handle on it.
That’s right — in a now-deleted tweet, Acuña lit the match that’s now threatening to ignite a full-on clubhouse firestorm. And the target? None other than manager Brian Snitker.
Acuña Calls Out the Braves Double Standard
Here’s what went down: After Jarred Kelenic admired what he thought was a homer — only for it to bounce off the right-field wall — he was thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double.
A classic “don’t do that” moment. When asked about the play, Snitker offered a shrug and some light praise about Kelenic’s energy.
But Acuña? He was not feeling the same leniency.
He tweeted (before deleting) something to the effect of: “If that had been me, I’d be benched.” And just like that, the baseball world had a new talking point. Was Snitker playing favorites?
Fans immediately pointed to 2019, when Acuña was benched for a similar base-running lapse. Then, in the NLDS, he repeated the mistake and was publicly called out by teammates and Snitker. Even Marcell Ozuna was sat down for similar behavior in 2023.
But Kelenic? He stayed in the game. Snitker’s explanation? He didn’t see the play.
That answer didn’t sit right with a lot of folks. For one, it’s a pretty critical play to miss. And two, it seemed to widen the gap between how certain players are held accountable — at least in Acuña’s eyes.
Snitker Tries to Play Fireman
Postgame, Snitker found himself in full damage control mode. He told reporters that each incident is “different,” citing “timing and everything” — a vague but strategic way of dodging specifics.
He said he hadn’t spoken to Acuña yet, that he only found out about the tweet on his way into the dugout, and that it had already been taken down.
Snitker praised Kelenic’s hustle — saying he plays “with his hair on fire” — but when asked point-blank what separated Kelenic’s gaffe from Acuña’s past mistakes, the manager waved off the comparison.
It’s not exactly the full-throated defense of equality fans were hoping for.
Now What Between Snitker and Acuña?
This is where things get murky. Acuña, the Braves’ undisputed superstar, is still on the mend, but his voice clearly still carries weight — especially in the locker room and among the fanbase.
Fans rallied behind him online, many echoing the sentiment that Snitker appears to treat some players with more leniency than others.
And with the Braves still fighting for consistency — even amidst this win streak — you can feel the tension building. It’s a delicate moment that could either fizzle quietly or explode into something bigger.
The Braves may have swept the Twins, but if the team doesn’t address this growing fracture between superstar and skipper, the aftershocks could last longer than the win streak.
And with Acuña’s return on the horizon? The spotlight is only going to get hotter.
