ATLANTA — It’s a signature event in Major League Baseball’s All-Star festivities: the Home Run Derby.
The home field advantage of Truist Park didn’t benefit Matt Olson, however. Atlanta’s representative to the derby didn’t make it past the first round.
He stood in for Ronald Acuña Jr., who had been suffering with some back tightness and decided to withdraw from the Home Run Derby.
Channel 2 sports director Zach Klein had a chance to catch up with Ronald Acuña Jr., the All-Star with the Braves earlier Monday. He who shared how cool it is to be an All-Star in his home city, playing for the home fans.
Acuña Jr. said he’s excited to play “in front of the best fans in baseball.”
Olson reflected on trying out his bat at the Home Run Derby.
“It’s really cool. I was just saying probably not anything I’ll fully appreciate until after I look back maybe down the road at some point,” said Matt Olson, who is playing in the Home Run Derby. “I feel like I’m appreciating it now but It’s one of those things you have to look back on.”
Earlier Monday, the American and National League players were getting ready Monday afternoon for the Home Run Derby. What’s cool is they were honoring the past. You see Number 19 35, Babe Ruth hit his 714 home run with the Boston Braves.
Nearly 40 years later, Hank Aaron broke Ruth’s record with his 715th home run in Atlanta.
And they honored both. The National League Home Run Derby warm-up jerseys were all No. 44, honoring Aaron.
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The American League will have the No. 3 warm-up jerseys as they honor Babe Ruth.
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