Baseball Players ‘Cuddling’ Gets Mistaken for Sympathy (VIDEO)

A video of Atlanta Braves’ Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuna Jr. showing each other affection during the July 29 game against the LA Dodgers has gone viral. Earlier reports claimed the tender moment was a result of Acuna discovering his mom had reportedly passed away.

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These two men, Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuna Jr are best friends and they also happen to play for the same team, reports are saying Acuna’s mother passed away during the game and Albies was right there to console him. Unfortunately as a society men are taught to not comfort another man or to show affection. This leads to depression and anger because emotions are natural and human. We tie any interaction between men that doesn’t fall into the box of masculinity as gay and this is something we gotta stop if we want to save each other and ourselves. UPDATE: Ronald Acuna’s Mom didn’t pass away she is reportedly fine, now we don’t know the context of this video but I hope the message that it’s still ok for two men to comfort each other still stands. #Peace _____________________________________ #ozziealbies #ronaldacunajr #braves #mlb #baseball #masculinity #fragile #toxic #healthymanhood #engagingmen

A post shared by Rashad Beal (@rashadbeal) on Jul 31, 2018 at 1:35pm PDT

Acuna appears in the video getting his head rubbed while on Albies’ chest while they sit in the dugout. Although the players are best friends, the announcers are heard joking about the “head massage.” The clip began to circulate on social media with many users critiquing the “uncomfortable” embrace. The negative feedback prompted a dialogue around toxic masculinity and why some men are unable to express emotions positively and healthily.

Acuña Jr. and Albies make us feel just a little uncomfortable…

— Dave the Commish (@fci2000) July 29, 2018

Ummm, this is a first. Acuna Jr have a headache or something? pic.twitter.com/7JdStsn2gf

— Bonta Hill (@BontaHill) July 29, 2018

The reactions these two inspired for merely reaching out to each other were very revealing. Under toxic masculinity the only moods & expressions celebrated in men are anger, violence, & dominance. And they wonder why men are so angry. #ozziealbies #acuñajr #pride #homophobia pic.twitter.com/M5ufyg7fJu

— Adri Elle (@WriterAdrielle) August 1, 2018

There was no reason given to explain why the men were so close. However, earlier reports claimed Albies was comforting Acuna for the loss of his mother. A Braves spokesperson told Yahoo Lifestyle that was inaccurate and that the outfielder’s mom is alive and well.

Other users hailed Albies and Acuna for their ability to be vulnerable in their friendship.

Shoutout to Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuña Jr. for expressing tenderness pic.twitter.com/JLLtTY6YkV

— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) July 29, 2018

Some people really wish they had friends like Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuña Jr. Their friendship is how every friendship should be.

— Cold (@LittleHoggy59) August 1, 2018