Thanks to social media, right? We can see our favorite athletes beyond the field lights! And it’s moments like these when fans find Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr as a family man. We see him grounded deeply amidst the demands of baseball life.

Such a recent moment melted hearts. Acuna Jr.’s wife, Maria Laborde, shared a sweet Instagram story. The video gave a peek of Ronald Acuna Jr playing baseball at home with his boys. He pitched softly to his youngest son, Jamal, who gripped a baseball bat. His oldest son, Ronald Daniel, crouched behind him at the catcher position.

Maria wrote a simple caption for their adorable family scene. “Papito Dando Clases 🥺💙” (Daddy Giving Lessons). A pure, loving family interaction at home.

This glimpse into fatherhood adds to their other public displays of family life.

Remember in 2023, when Ronald Acuna Jr married Maria on August 31? This whirlwind wedding happened just hours before an important game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Apparently, the timing of the ceremony was dictated by visa restrictions. The location was a private, intimate gathering outside Los Angeles. He didn’t even tell his own manager until the day!

But he played miraculously that night, hours after marrying Maria. Against the Los Angeles Dodgers, he delivered a performance for the ages. He hit a crucial grand slam in the game. It sealed his incredible 30 home run, 60 stolen base campaign. The first one in MLB. Later on, he gave Maria his lineup card: “For the rest of my life, I hope you never forget this incredibly special day for us.”

And talking about Maria, she never gives us FOMO on the glimpses of their personal lives. Fans experienced a cozy scene for Acuna Jr.’s 27th birthday. It included blue balloons and the message, “Feliz cumpleaños mi amor, te amamos infinitamente.” Then there were posts from their December 2024 trip in Italy. One photo was captioned “Roma contigo 🤎” (Rome with you) by Maria. A fuller picture – a loving family!

This blend of family and baseball excellence defines him. Acuna Jr. often involves his sons in public moments. He takes Ronald Daniel and Jamal to his post-game press conferences while the boys sit happily on his lap. There are times they tap microphones or make silly sounds. And he manages it all with patience and a smile. In fact, these moments give a disarming glimpse. They capture the superstar transforming into Dad in the moment. It beautifully humanizes him for fans around the world watching.

MVP Dad’s return: Can Acuna Jr ignite the Braves’ lineup?

Now, Acuna Jr.’s baseball career had recently hit historical highs. Ronald Acuna Jr became MLB’s first 30-60 player. Then he even pushed it further to 40 home runs and 70 stolen bases. With his power and speed, he joined the very exclusive 40-40 club. His remarkable performance in the 2023 season carried him to a unanimous win for the National League MVP. He also won a Silver Slugger Award for his strong bat.

But even elite careers can suddenly meet stiff challenges. In 2024, Ronald Acuna Jr. endured a devastating setback. During a match against the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 6, 2024, he suffered an ACL injury in his left knee. This injury sidelined him for the rest of that season. Now, he is expected to return to the Braves’ lineup on May 2, 2025.

As Ronald Acuna Jr. prepares his return, his team awaits him eagerly. The Atlanta Braves have played their first 18 games this season without their star. They currently sit second in the NL East division standings and hold a record of 10-8. The team had shown some flashes, but is waiting on the return of its offensive spark plug.

Given Acuna Jr.’s performance before the injury, his return should add immediate lineup power.

Yeah, the story of Ronald Acuna Jr. is one of great talent and family love. He balances historic feats with dedicated fatherhood while recovering from an injury. Imagine the level of multitasking! Now, we are all waiting for the MVP dad to make a glorious comeback on the field, too! Are you?