Mets' Luisangel Acuna, Atlanta's Ronald Acuna Jr. relish first major-league meeting
Mets infielder Luisangel Acuna, left, talks with his brother, Ronald Acuna Jr. of Atlanta, before a game at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday. Credit: Timothy Healey / Newsday
ATLANTA — The rivalry between the Mets and Atlanta became a family affair Tuesday — and it might stay that way for years to come.
This series marks the first between the teams since Luisangel Acuna reached the majors a week and a half ago. The rookie shortstop and his half-brother, injured Atlanta star Ronald Acuna Jr., exchanged jerseys, shared laughs during batting practice and even posed for a photo together with Mets owner Alex Cohen before the opener.
In the bottom of the first inning, Luisangel, 22, took the field wearing bright yellow cleats, a nod to Ronald, 26, who would have done the same had he not torn the ACL in his left knee in May.
“It just fills me up with pride and joy,” Luisangel said through an interpreter. “That’s something we’ve been talking about since I was in the minor leagues. I always used to tell him, 'hey Brother, whenever I get to the big league, we’re going to swap jerseys.'”
The Acunas maximized their time together beginning early Monday morning, after the Mets arrived from New York. Ronald picked up Luisangel at the team hotel and brought him to his house for a sleepover, Luisangel said. They spent the day together, including dinner with others.
In all, they had about 15 relatives in attendance Tuesday night, Luisangel said.
Who were they rooting for?
“They’re saying they’re going to support me,” Luisangel said, “because my brother is not playing.”
Ronald declined an interview request.
Luisangel got off to a superb start after his surprise callup, spurred by Francisco Lindor’s back injury. He had a .379/.400/.828 slash line in nine games entering the week. He hit three home runs in that span after going deep just seven times in 131 Triple-A games this year.
Manager Carlos Mendoza said he hoped Luisangel would keep doing this series what he has done so far.
“I’ve been telling him since he got there,” Mendoza said. “He’s going to go out there and be himself. There’s probably going to be more people in the stands, family members. The fact that he’s playing in front of a lot of family members and his brother, probably something special. But don’t try to do too much. Just keep being yourself.”
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
