Any major league manager would relish the opportunity to have a player in their lineup who can hit 40 home runs and another who can steal 40 bases.
But what if it’s the same player who can achieve both numbers? The Braves have the privilege of having one of their own at the top of their batting order: Venezuelan Ronald Acuña Jr.
This combination of power and speed is so unique that there were only five members in a 40-40 season.
Ronald Coin Jr., Braves, 2023
Acuña had 68 stolen bases when he hit his 40th home run of the season, easily surpassing Alex Rodríguez’s 46 steals in 1998, the most in a 40-40 season. Acuña almost joined this club when he was 21 years old in 2019, when he recorded 41 home runs and 37 stolen bases.
Alfonso Soriano, Nationals, 2006
After nearly joining the 40-40 club with the Yankees in 2002 (39 home runs, 41 steals, leading the American League), the Dominican made his first season with the Nationals a memorable one, stealing 41 bases and finishing with 46 Homer set a personal record.
Alex Rodriguez, Mariners, 1998
After showing a good combination of outside (59 combined home runs) and speed (44 combined steals) in his first two full seasons in the Major Leagues, A-Rod reached a new level in 1998, hitting 42 home runs for the first time in his season Career. Career and stole 46 bases; 17 more than in any other of his election campaigns.
Barry Bonds, Gigantes, 1996
Before becoming the player with the most home runs in a season in Major League Baseball history, Bonds was considered one of the game’s most complete players for more than a decade. That was never more evident than in his 11th season, when the Giants superstar hit the second of his eight 40-homer seasons (42 in 1996) and reached the 40-steal mark for the third and final time in his season (40 in 1996). year 1996). Career. Career.
José Canseco, Athletics, 1988
Cuban became a charter member of the 40-40 club on September 23, 1988, when he stole two bases to reach exactly 40 for the year and hit the 41st of his 42 home runs that season. Interestingly, Canseco is the only player to win the MVP award during his 40-40 season.
