Atlanta, GA — June 4, 2025 — In a stunning and unconfirmed claim that’s causing chaos online, social media exploded Tuesday night over reports that Braves manager Brian Snitker allegedly told fans he would consider removing star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. from the team if he “doesn’t resign from being WOKE.”

The alleged comment, which has not been officially confirmed by the Braves organization or any major outlet, was reportedly made at a private fan meet-and-greet and quickly went viral after a blurry video clip circulated online.

In the clip, Snitker is heard saying:

“If he doesn’t resign from all that woke nonsense, we may need to reconsider his future here.”

The context of the comment is unclear, and audio quality makes verification difficult. Still, the claim was enough to ignite a firestorm across the sports world.

Acuña’s Response: Calm, Clear, and Defiant

Ronald Acuña Jr., known not just for his MVP-caliber performance but also for his passionate and expressive personality, responded on his Instagram Stories just hours later.

“I play baseball. I respect everyone. I’m not resigning from being myself. 🇻🇪✊🏽”

He did not address Snitker directly, but fans quickly interpreted it as a response to the controversy. He later followed up with a tweet that read simply:

“Love always wins. #Pride #Respect”

Fans Divided

The alleged exchange has left Braves fans bitterly split.

Some sided with Snitker’s supposed stance:

“I support Coach Snit 100%. Keep politics out of baseball.”

“This is Braves Country, not Woke Country.”

Others expressed outrage and support for Acuña:

“If Acuña goes, I go. He’s the heart of this team.”

“Standing up for equality doesn’t mean you don’t love baseball. It means you love people.”

The hashtags #StandWithAcuña and #FireSnitker began trending on X (formerly Twitter), along with #KeepPoliticsOutOfBaseball.

Braves Organization Yet to Issue Statement

As of this writing, the Atlanta Braves organization has not released an official comment addressing the viral controversy. Several reporters have reached out for clarification but received no response.

Major League Baseball has also not commented on the matter.

Is It Real?

It remains unclear whether Snitker’s quote is accurate or taken out of context. Some fans are calling the video fake or doctored. Others insist they were there and heard it firsthand.

“The internet can create fires out of sparks,” said sports media analyst Jill Turner. “Whether or not Snitker said it, the fact that people believe he might have shows how emotionally charged the culture around sports has become.”

Bigger Than Baseball?

The situation highlights the continuing tension between personal expression and public expectation in professional sports. Acuña, a Venezuelan native and global baseball superstar, has never been overtly political—but like many athletes of his generation, he occasionally uses his platform to speak on issues of respect and inclusion.

“When players show support for marginalized groups, some fans cheer, and others call it ‘woke,’” said Dr. Antoine Reaves, a professor of sports ethics. “The question is: do we want our athletes to be silent, or do we want them to be human?”

 

What’s Next?

It’s unclear what will happen next. Acuña remains under contract and continues to be a cornerstone of the Braves roster. There are no confirmed internal moves to discipline or trade him, and Snitker has not spoken publicly since the clip surfaced.

But the story isn’t likely to disappear soon.

Final Thoughts

Whether the alleged comments are confirmed or denied, the message from Acuña is already echoing across the baseball world: he’s not backing down from who he is or what he believes in.

And in an era when athletes are increasingly expected to be more than just players, that might be the biggest pitch of all.