The 40-40 club is one of the most exclusive in MLB and professional sports.
It is one of the hardest things to achieve in baseball: hitting 40 home runs and stealing 40 bases in a single season.
The 40-homer threshold is reserved for the strongest sluggers, while the 40-steal club is something that only the speediest hitters in baseball can dream about.
Well, go ahead and tell Atlanta Braves’ second baseman Ozzie Albies that he can’t dream about joining the club: we dare you.
Albies, one of the best in MLB at his position, recently discussed with some of his teammates the chance to join it this season.
The second baseman says that the new rules can definitely help Ronald Acuna Jr., Michael Harris II, and himself achieve the lofty totals.
Ozzie Albies’ vision:
Acuna: 40-40, maybe 50-50
Harris: 40-40
Himself: 40-40With the new rules, he said, nothing is impossible. SW…
“Why not”
Can the Braves reopen the 40-40 Club? They sure think so!
https://t.co/u2S75XdR4P— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) March 2, 2023
First things first.
Only four men have hit 40 long balls and accumulated 40 thefts in the same campaign: Jose Canseco in 1988, Barry Bonds in 1996, Alex Rodriguez in 1998, and Alfonso Soriano in 2006.
Albies believes Acuna has a chance to go 50-50 this year.
That may be a little too optimistic, but he does have a chance at joining the 40-40 club.
He came close in 2019, with 41 home runs and 37 steals.
Albies’ career-high in home runs is 30, and it’s 20 in steals.
If he wants to meet his goal, he has to do some early-season running to get off to a good start.
Harris won the NL Rookie of the Year award last year and had 24 homers and 31 steals between Triple-A and the majors.
With a full slate of games and health, all three have a chance.
Perhaps 30-30 would be a more realistic goal, but who are we to tell people not to dream?
NEXT:
Austin Riley Discusses His Offseason Adjustments
