The Rise, Fall, and Resurgence of Marcell Ozuna
By Austin Andre
The heights
The Braves took notice of Ozuna's success against them in the NLDS and signed him to a one-year $18 million deal. Before the season could begin, the COVID-19 pandemic halted the 2020 season. When play resumed in July, Ozuna was given the starting spot in left field. In the shortened 60-game season, he was an absolute offensive force.
His final line for the season was .338/.431/.636. He led the National League with 18 home runs, 56 RBIs, and 145 total bases. In the postseason, Ozuna had 14 hits, 3 home runs, and 12 RBI. Ozuna shined in the NLDS, specifically, batting .308. The Braves would lose the NLCS to the Dodgers in seven games. However, for now, he had won the admiration of Braves fans.
The fall
In 2021, the Braves started the season off slow and hovered below .500 for most of the year. The Braves lost All-Star Ronald Acuna in July and were on the brink of finishing under .500. We all know how this story goes...trades were made, a season was saved, and the Braves captured the NL East with an 88-74 record to stay afloat. However, Braves fans also remember that year for another reason.
On May 29th, Ozuna was arrested and charged with aggravated assault by strangulation and battery. Ozuna had recently suffered an injury while the Braves were in Boston which is why he wasn't with the team. Police claimed they witnessed him grabbing his wife by the neck and shoving her into a wall. This shocked Braves fans everywhere and Ozuna was placed on administrative leave on September 9th.
#Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna has been placed on administrative leave for seven days under the Joint MLB-MLBPA Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy, an MLB official told @TheAthletic. The administrative leave can be extended. MLB's investigation is ongoing.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) September 10, 2021
This caused him to miss the rest of the season and a World Series win. Despite Ozuna's charges being withdrawn by the Fulton County District Attorney's Office due to video evidence proving Police reports wrong, Ozuna's reputation was tarnished. He then completed 200 hours of community service, an anger management program, and a 24-week family violence intervention program following the incident.