LAS VEGAS — For years, Bartolo Colon and Ronald Acuña Jr. have despatched one another messages on Instagram. However the two stars had by no means earlier than met in individual — till they ran into one another on the foyer of their Las Vegas lodge on Friday evening forward of Saturday’s All-MLB Staff present offered by MGM Rewards.
Clearly, it was a thrill for each.
“I actually did need to see Ronald and get to know him a bit of bit higher,” Colon stated, by means of an interpreter, on the All-MLB pre-show festivities. “We have at all times messaged on Instagram, however this was the primary time I would really seen him.”
“It was superior,” added Acuña. “He is clearly somebody that I watched rising up. And to have the ability to have conversations with him and what he meant to the sport. He confirmed me a lot love, and I actually recognize that.”
Acuña stated he was the one who initiated the Instagram DMs with Colon a number of years in the past. The 2 have shared messages sporadically since.
Colon’s last season was 2018, which was additionally Acuña’s breakthrough rookie season. However the two by no means squared off within the massive leagues.
Requested how he’d have pitched Acuña — the 2023 Nationwide League MVP and the primary 40-70 participant in baseball historical past — Colon laughed.
“I’d simply throw it proper down the center,” he stated. “And hope.”