Braves rookie outfielder Michael Harris II has only be in the big leagues for a couple months, and he’s already showing baseball wisdom well beyond his years. That was on display during Tuesday night’s game between the Braves and Red Sox.
Ronald Acuña Jr. wowed the baseball world with his phenomenal slide into home plate in the 11th inning to give the Braves a two-run lead. Acuña was able to evade the tag from Kevin Plawecki by sneaking a hand in on the opposite side of the plate despite the throw beating him. And real time, it simply looked like an incredible individual effort from one of baseball’s most gifted players.
Can’t Touch This – @ronaldacunajr24 pic.twitter.com/Kd4LO90eTK
— Cut4 (@Cut4) August 10, 2022
But even Acuña would admit that there was much more to the slide. Just look at Harris who became a player-coach on the play, standing in Acuña’s sight line to direct him exactly where to slide. After the game, Acuña credited Harris II for pointing to that inside portion of the plate because, after all, Harris could see the direction the ball was coming in while Acuña could not.
"I was just keeping my eyes on Michael Harris and seeing where he was pointing me to. I just kind of followed his lead on that."@ronaldacunajr24 credited @MoneyyyMikeee for the GPS instructions on that 11th-inning slide. pic.twitter.com/ll0WxlW47A
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) August 10, 2022
You don’t see that situational awareness from too many rookies, and it was what made that highlight-reel play possible. Plenty of fans noticed it too.
This was how Twitter reacted
One of the best slides you're gonna see. And great teamwork from MH2, guiding RAJ inside. https://t.co/NxCdAztKyP
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) August 10, 2022
For all of you young baseball players, look at Michael Harris who had just scored and now he is telling Acuna where to slide to avoid the tag. Take notes https://t.co/EPZKZwfHls
— Ben Patterson (@bengpatt) August 10, 2022
Elite slide but what’s even more elite that commentators aren’t mentioning is Michael Harris directing Acuna on which side of the plate to slide at. Always have a job! @Braves @MoneyyyMikeee https://t.co/6AJAEmfGl1
— EmmanuelThrash (@JacobThrash) August 10, 2022
Can we talk more about this slide??? This is insane. Notice a TEAMMATE telling him where to slide. Team game. This is awesome! https://t.co/wGDCpzycMI
— Ryan Victory (@ryan_victory1) August 10, 2022
Gorgeous slide by Acuña, and shoutout to Harris for waving him in to slide inside on the throw. https://t.co/uWZ6ei15zK
— BettorBrad (@BettorBrad) August 10, 2022
Getting in a baserunners eyesight is just fundamentals. Harris letting Ronald know to slide inside caused that run. Perfectly done https://t.co/ZbYqof9PlN pic.twitter.com/HmI5z8JtwR
— BJ Byrd (@bygbyrd8) August 10, 2022
Great hustle by Acuna but give a nod to Harris. Directing Acuna where to slide coming home. That’s some very good baseball right there! Going to be fun watching Harris over the years. https://t.co/aOKzNWoC95
— Ted (@tedtaylor1) August 10, 2022
Not to take any credit away from Roññie, but Michael Harris II was immediately in place telling him where to slide and deserves such recognition.
I love you unconditionally. https://t.co/4pEEq3GgzE pic.twitter.com/tZMJLYzbd2
— Iñky (@inkiavelli) August 10, 2022
The slide is elite, but so is @MoneyyyMikeee directing traffic. https://t.co/uWvyWhcjam
— Brandon Paul Shelton (@BPaulShelton) August 10, 2022
That’s how it should be done.
