Lakers star LeBron James shouts out Braves OF Ronald Acuña for home run celebration
The King approves.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James tweeted a shout-out at Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña after Acuña borrowed a celebration James frequently uses — the "Silencer" — as he started his trot to first base following a fifth-inning home run against the Milwaukee Brewers.
"Yessir!!!!" James tweeted Saturday night. "Went yard then hit the "Silencer"!! Ayyyyyyeee."
Acuña hit the 420-foot blast in the bottom of the fifth on a 1-2 count off of pitcher Corbin Burnes, last year's NL Cy Young award winner. As Acuña left the batter's box upon hitting the home run, which sailed into deep left field, he turned to the "Silencer," which is when a person uses both their hands at their side and pushes down, while lifting either knee. The home run opened the scoring in the game and gave the Braves a one-run lead.
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Yessir!!!! Went yard then hit the "Silencer"!! Ayyyyyyeee 🫡✊🏾👑 https://t.co/hRoDgnFbOo
— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 8, 2022
“I’m just super excited, emotional and very happy,” Acuña said after the game through a translator. “I would never imagine being tweeted at by him or retweeting about myself from him. I’m really excited.”
The Braves would go on to win 3-2, and it marked the second consecutive game in which Acuña hit a home run. Acuña returned to the lineup April 28 after recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in 2021. Acuña, who hits lead off, also singled to open the game and went 2-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base.
“To be honest, I never expected that but I'm beyond grateful for that support,” Acuña said through the translator.
The reigning World Series champions, the Braves have started slow out of the gate in the 2022 season. Atlanta is currently in third place (13-16) in the NL East, 6.5 games back of the division-leading New York Mets. The Braves wrap up their three-game series against the Brewers Sunday afternoon, after having split the first two games Friday and Saturday.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron James shouts out Braves' Ronald Acuña for HR celebration
