Emotional Freeman returns to Atlanta for ovation, ring
ATLANTA » Freddie Freeman expected to be emotional during his anticipated return to Atlanta.
He wasn’t prepared for the flood of feelings — and tears — that came before his first game back as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday night.
A rush of them forced him to walk out of his pregame news conference before it began. Freeman had to gather himself several times when discussing his continued love for the Braves and Atlanta. He then questioned how he would make it through the threegame series.
“I don’t even know how I’m going to get through this weekend,” Freeman said.
Receiving his 2021 World Series championship ring, presented by Braves manager Brian Snitker in a pregame ceremony, produced more emotions from Freeman. Following a tribute video to Freeman, he made a slow walk to the field to join Snitker, who stood beside the World Series trophy in front of the mound.
Braves fans stood and cheered, some chanting “Freddie! Freddie!” Freeman answered by removing his cap and raising both arms to the fans. Freeman hugged Snitker twice, including once after putting on his ring. He grinned and gave the ring a kiss.
Minutes later, Freeman held up his batting helmet to the fans following another ovation before 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 in the second inning.
Freeman hit a homer in his first reunion game, a 7-4
Online: Friday’s Phillies’ game at San Diego was completed too late for this edition. For updated info, go to win over the Braves in Los Angeles on April 18.
Freeman, the 2020 NL MVP, led the Braves to their first World Series title since 1995 last season. He was widely expected to re-sign with Atlanta but instead signed a $162 million, sixyear deal with the Dodgers after he was unable to reach an agreement with the Braves.
After 15 years in the Braves’ organization, including 12 years with Atlanta, the 32-year-old has enjoyed a productive first half with the Dodgers. He was hitting .303 with eight homers and 45 RBIs entering Friday and is third in the NL All-Star voting among first basemen.
Atlanta’s Matt Olson, acquired from the Oakland
Athletics two days after losing Freeman, is fourth in the voting.
Freeman constantly fought his emotions and didn’t make eye contact with Braves reporters through the opening minutes of his news conference.
“I can’t even look at you guys because I don’t know how I’m going to get through it,” he said.
Judge, Yankees avoid arb hearing
NEW YORK » Aaron Judge and the Yankees avoided an arbitration hearing Friday by agreeing to a $19 million, one-year contract, a deal that leaves the slugger on track to become a free agent after the World Series.
Unable to agree to a longterm deal in talks that ended on opening day, the sides split the difference between the proposed arbitration figures they exchanged on March 22: $21 million by Judge and $17 million by the Yankees.
Judge can make an additional $500,000 in award bonuses: $250,000 for MVP and $250,000 for World Series MVP.