Ronald Acuña Jr.'s social media comments will fire up every Braves fan

Is Ronald Acuña Jr. the new Chipper Jones for this generation of Atlanta Braves' fans? This isn't a comparison based on talent, but rather a comparison of loyalty to the city of Atlanta. Chipper played each of his 19 big league seasons with the Braves, and now Acuña Jr. will begin his ninth season of playing for Atlanta in 2026.

Braves Country wants Ronald to remain in Atlanta beyond his 2028 club option, and every time we hear Acuña Jr. speak it's clear he feels the same way. Ronald's latest endorsement of the Braves' franchise came on Twitter, when he posted a picture of him and Billye Aaron at MLB's award ceremony. The caption to that photo said it all, "Braves44VER," which was a classy tribute to the iconic Hank Aaron, and simultaneously an emphatic statement about Acuña's desire to continue to play baseball in Atlanta.

Ronald Acuña Jr. doubles down on desire to be an Atlanta Brave for life

The Braves franchise player was feeling good on Thursday night, after he notched another NL Comeback Player of the Year award. Ronald has been public before about his desire to spend his entire career in a Braves uniform, but with 2026 being the final guaranteed portion of his contract, it feels like a good time for Alex Anthopoulos to breakout the checkbook.

It's rare in any sport nowadays to find this much loyalty from a generational talent, and hopefully the Braves do right by Ronald and give him the big payday he deserves. Some baseball pundits think Anthopoulos will spend big on external free agents this winter. However, the best big money spending decision Anthopoulos could make would be extending Acuña Jr. beyond 2028.

When a player is this outspoken with love for the organization and community, it's crucial the front office matches that passion. Additionally, the talent of Acuña Jr. isn't something you can (or at least should) just let walk out the door. If the Braves refuse to write the check, the Dodgers, Mets, or Yankees certainly will.

Thankfully, the Braves are a couple years away from having to worry about a possible Acuña Jr. free agency sweepstakes. Ronald Acuña Jr. seems intent on avoiding that wild free agency scenario, and let's hope for our sake the Braves' front office is as well.