In 2020, Freddie Freeman won the National League MVP award with the Atlanta Braves. In 2022, he went to his fifth All-Star Game with Atlanta- and won the World Series title. He put together a fantastic 12 years with the Braves, OPS’ing .893.
Over the offseason, Freeman signed a six-year, $162 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. And on Friday, he made his return to Atlanta for the first time since leaving the Braves.
First, Freeman was very emotional while meeting with the Atlanta media ahead of Friday night’s Dodgers-Braves game at Truist Park.
Later, during a pregame ceremony, Freeman received his World Series ring and heard “Freddie! Freddie! Freddie!” chants from Braves fans.
Just listen to this Atlanta reception for @FreddieFreeman5 🔊 pic.twitter.com/zE21hqZphx
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) June 24, 2022
https://twitter.com/BravesOnBally/status/1540473007369510913
“FREDDIE, FREDDIE, FREDDIE” chants in the crowd. With a “fire your agent Freddie” snuck in there. What a moment. A standing ovation from every corner of this ballpark. #ForTheA pic.twitter.com/cZChLhMwvq
— Maria Martin (@Ria_Martin) June 24, 2022
Then Freeman addressed Braves fans in an on-field interview with Kelly Crull of Bally Sports: “I know I’ve got a different uniform on, but I still love each and every one of you guys.”
https://twitter.com/BravesOnBally/status/1540474890171580417
Freeman also got a huge ovation from Braves fans ahead of his first plate appearance of the game.
Freddie Freeman's first at-bat back in Atlanta is everything you'd expect it to be 🔊 pic.twitter.com/RcfiOas276
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) June 24, 2022
He even got a hug from Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. (so much for that drama?).
Ronald ➕ Freddie pic.twitter.com/3Zsi5xDqFN
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) June 24, 2022
And as for the game, Freeman is 1-for-2 with two walks and two runs through seven innings.
