The Los Angeles Dodgers continue their road trip with a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves in a matchup between surging teams. However, the biggest storyline is Freddie Freeman returning to Truist Park for the first time as a visiting player.
The 2020 National League MVP was selected by the Braves in the second round of the 2007 MLB Draft and played his first 12 seasons with the organization. After helping the Braves win the 2021 World Series, the consensus was that Freeman would quickly re-sign in free agency.
However, that never came to be as Atlanta reportedly was unwilling to offer him a sixth year in contract negotiations. That opened the door for the Dodgers to sign Freeman to a six-year pact that will pay him $162 million over the lifetime of the deal.
San Francisco Giants pitcher Alex Wood, who teamed up with Freeman on the Braves from 2013-15 before pitching for the Dodgers, ridiculed the idea that the five-time All-Star could be booed in his return to Atlanta:
The fact that this is even a question is literally the dumbest thing I have ever heard in my entire life. One of the best in franchise history, a pillar of the Atlanta community and potential future HOF. Real Braves fans should be laughing at this. https://t.co/1KYsKVulqr
— Alex Wood (@Awood45) June 21, 2022
Freeman hit .295/.384/.509 with 367 doubles, 271 home runs and 941 RBI across 1,565 games for the Braves, establishing himself as one of the greatest first basemen in the franchise’s history.
Along with his on-field production, Freeman was an important member of the Atlanta community and regularly gave back to those in need.
While it’s possible Freeman will receive a few boos from Braves fans, the overwhelming majority should give him a warm reception.
Freeman excited to receive Braves World Series ring
Freeman is expected to receive his 2021 World Series ring prior to Friday’s series opener at Truist Park, which he has long been looking forward to.
Braves players already had their championship hardware when they visited Dodger Stadium in April, but Freeman made sure to avoid so much as glancing at it.
“Rob Smith was wearing it and I said, ‘Take it off. I don’t want to see it.’ I’ve seen it obviously in pictures and videos and all that, but first time I want to see in person is going on my finger,” Freeman explained.
“So we we put a lot of work and a lot of hard work went into winning that last year and a lot of years over the last decade went into that. So I want to be able to see it for the first time in person.”
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