Freddie Freeman has regularly expressed his excitement in getting to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers, but also been open about the emotional process that came with not re-signing with the Atlanta Braves.
Now into a second week of his inaugural season with the Dodgers, Freeman is facing the Braves for the first time. “I’m looking forward to it,” he said after the Dodgers completed a four-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds.
“When you reach the top like we did last year, I’m just so looking forward to seeing everybody. Alex (Anthopoulos) is coming in, he’s flying in. We’re going to talk and meet each other to catch up. So it’s going to be great. It really is.
“I’m looking forward to seeing all the guys again. Can’t wait to see (Ron) Washington with the little toothpick in his mouth, hitting fungos. It’s going to be like old times.”
Freeman added there are “so many friendships that are going last forever,” and the meeting with Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos will merely be to reunite, not to seek clarification on why free agency unfolded how it did.
Freeman previously was dismissive of Anthopoulos giving a tearful interview, though the two have since spoken over the phone and were said to be in good standing.
Freeman eager to receive Braves World Series ring
While the Braves held a World Series ring ceremony at Truist Park, Freeman and the organization mutually decided he will not receive his until the Dodgers visit Atlanta in June.
“Oh, I can promise you guys I’m most likely going to tear up and cry,” Freeman said. “I promise you that. I’m a pretty emotional guy. When you spend so much time with one organization and go back for the first time, I’ve never experienced it. So I can’t comment, but I most likely am going to tear up.”
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