ATLANTA — Freddie Freeman anticipated to be emotional throughout his anticipated return to Atlanta.
He wasn’t ready for the flood of emotions — and tears — that got here earlier than his first recreation again as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night time.
A rush of them compelled him to stroll out of his pregame information convention earlier than it started. Freeman needed to collect himself a number of occasions when discussing his continued love for the Braves and Atlanta. He then questioned how he would make it by means of the three-game collection.
“I don’t even understand how I’m going to get by means of this weekend,” Freeman stated.
He was stunned how properly he fared within the collection opener. He reached base 3 times, on two walks and a single, and scored twice within the Dodgers’ 4-1 win.
“I did all proper,” he stated. “I’ll take 3 times on base and two runs scored. … The most effective factor that occurred was strolling in that first at-bat.”
Receiving his 2021 World Sequence championship ring, introduced by Braves supervisor Brian Snitker in a pregame ceremony, produced extra feelings from Freeman. Following a tribute video to Freeman, he made a sluggish stroll to the sector to hitch Snitker, who stood beside the World Sequence trophy in entrance of the mound.
Braves followers stood and cheered, some chanting “Freddie! Freddie!” Freeman answered by eradicating his cap and elevating each arms to the followers. Freeman hugged Snitker twice, together with as soon as after placing on his ring. He grinned and gave the ring a kiss.
Minutes later, Freeman held up his batting helmet to the followers following one other ovation earlier than his first-inning at-bat. Braves right-hander Ian Anderson walked Freeman, who later scored on a sacrifice fly by Justin Turner for a 2-0 lead. Freeman struck out within the second inning.
Freeman hit a homer in his first reunion recreation, a 7-4 win over the Braves in Los Angeles on April 18.
Freeman, the 2020 NL MVP, led the Braves to their first World Sequence title since 1995 final season. He was broadly anticipated to re-sign with Atlanta however as a substitute signed a $162 million, six-year cope with the Dodgers after he was unable to succeed in an settlement with the Braves.
After 15 years within the Braves’ group, together with 12 years with Atlanta, the 32-year-old has loved a productive first half with the Dodgers. He was hitting .303 with eight homers and 45 RBIs getting into Friday and is third within the NL All-Star voting amongst first basemen.
Atlanta’s Matt Olson, acquired from the Oakland Athletics two days after dropping Freeman, is fourth within the voting.
Freeman consistently fought his feelings and didn’t make eye contact with Braves reporters by means of the opening minutes of his information convention.
“I can’t even take a look at you guys as a result of I don’t understand how I’m going to get by means of it,” he stated.
Even beginning the information convention was troublesome. When first getting into the interview room, Freeman stated “give me a second” after which turned and left the room for a number of minutes.
After returning, Freeman stated, “Man, I really like the Braves group with all my coronary heart. That may by no means change.”
Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts stated he wasn’t stunned by Freeman’s declaration of his continued love for the Braves.
“I believe it’s one thing that Freddie lengthy awaited,” Roberts stated. “Everybody right here adores him. I nonetheless know he’ll be able to play a baseball recreation.”
When he noticed the big group of reporters earlier than the sport, Snitker joked, “is one thing happening?”
Snitker has had different ring ceremonies for returning gamers, together with San Francisco’s Joc Pederson earlier this week.
“I’m comfortable identical to I’m comfortable for all the fellows we’ve given them to,” Snitker stated of Freeman.
One in all Freeman’s associates, Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson, stated Thursday, “it’s at all times good to see previous associates, however I’m nonetheless trying ahead to beating him.”
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