Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. has gone through adversity over the last couple of years, but he was rewarded for his resilience on Saturday night. The 28-year-old hit a leadoff homer for Team Venezuela in the top of the first inning in its World Baseball Classic (WBC) quarterfinal matchup with Team Japan, a 401-foot shot to right center off of superstar pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Acuna screamed and beat his chest as he rounded the bases, and he explained the emotion behind his celebration after Venezuela's 8-5 win, via the WBC's social media.

"I had a lot of emotion because my family is from Venezuela, you know," the five-time All-Star said. "I want to make my people proud. I'm so excited...We play hard for our country."

Acuna was born and raised in Venezuela before the Braves signed him as an international free agent in 2014. The town he grew up in is named La Samana, which has produced around 60 professional baseball players, all related to him, per MLB.com.

Acuna's home run celebration and subsequent quote symbolize the purpose of the WBC. The tournament provides a break from the usual grind of club ball and allows players to represent either the nation they're from or have roots in, which many consider the highest honor in the game.

Acuna got the ball rolling for Venezuela in the upset victory over the defending WBC champions, as second baseman Gleyber Torres hit an RBI double to left in the second before third baseman Maikel Garcia deposited a two-run homer to left center in the fifth. Left fielder Wilyer Abreu followed up with a three-run home run to right in the sixth, and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar scored on a pickoff error in the eighth. 

The offense bailed out starting pitcher Ranger Suarez, who allowed all five of Japan's runs over 2.2 innings, including a solo homer to modern baseball icon Shohei Ohtani in the bottom of the first. Now, Venezuela will face Team Italy in Monday's semifinal.

Acuna has once again reminded the baseball world that he's one of the best players, as he's 5-for-18 with two homers, three RBIs, six walks, nine runs scored, and two stolen bases in the WBC thus far. The 2023 NL MVP continues to shine after returning from a torn left ACL in May, as he slashed .290/.417/.518 with 21 homers and 42 RBIs over 95 games for Atlanta in 2025.

Acuna played just 49 games in 2024 before tearing the ACL. The three-time Silver Slugger also tore his right ACL in 2021 and missed the Braves' championship run that year, so he's bounced back from major injuries multiple times.

Now, Acuna has the chance to win a WBC title before trying to help Atlanta return to the playoffs after a down 2025 season.

The first pitch between Venezuela and Italy will be at 8:00 p.m. ET on FS1 on Monday.