Freddie Freeman

Freddie Freeman strolled into the press conference room at Truist Park, took a glance at the media – many of whom covered the bulk of his Braves caree.

Freddie Freeman couldn't contain his emotions in his first return to Atlanta before professing his love to the adoring crowd ahead of Friday's game.

Freeman took his time to settle into the batter's box, doffing his helmet to acknowledge the crowd and his former teammates before eventually drawing a walk against Ian Anderson. During the Braves' World Series run last fall, Freeman was at his best, batting .304/.420/.625 with five home runs and 11 RBIs in 16 playoff games. Freeman signed with the Dodgers, who play close to where he grew up in Orange County, three days later and was left stunned by the way everything played out. A few minutes later, Freeman returned and did his best to navigate an emotionally charged interview that marked his return to the place he still adores. "It's all the sacrifices. All the hours. Freeman, 32, first joined the Braves in 2007, as a second-round pick out of high school. "I thought I loved this city and this organization a lot, but I think you can tell how much I truly do love this organization and this city. Freeman had already reunited with his former teammates in L.A. two months ago, but he expected this weekend to trigger more emotion. Shortly after baseball resumed in March, Freeman's agent, Casey Close, presented two offers to Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos in what was described as a take-it-or-leave it scenario, sources told ESPN's Buster Olney. "There's nothing to close for me here," he said, still fighting back tears. "Gimme a second," he said.

The Braves are hosting the Dodgers in a weekend series, and Freeman will receive his 2021 World Series ring.

The Dodgers (43-25) and Braves (41-30) are separated by only a few games in the standings, it should be noted. A second-round pick in 2007, Freeman broke into the big leagues with the Braves in 2010 and was a middle-of-the-lineup mainstay for the next 11 seasons. A free agent for the first time this past season, Freeman certainly had discussions with the Braves, though the two sides were fairly far apart in contract talks. Friday night the Los Angeles Dodgers opened a three-game series with the Atlanta Braves, and Freddie Freeman returned to Truist Park for the first time since leaving as a free agent this past offseason. He is quite simply one of the greatest Braves ever. I still love the Braves organization with all my heart.

There won't be a dry eye in the stands when Freddie Freeman takes his first at-bat on Friday night.

Freeman took the plate to a chorus of cheers, receiving yet another standing ovation. When Freeman finally took the plate, those cheers turned to playful boos. Freeman couldn't help but reminisce about his time in Atlanta when he was at the podium. Freeman later walked to a gaggle of young Braves fans after batting practice to sign some baseballs. Freeman is still one of the top left-handed bats in the league. "I've always told you guys how much I love the Braves and this city," Freeman told reporters.

Freddie Freeman made his return to Atlanta, where Braves manager Brian Snitker presented his World Series ring in an emotional pregame moment.

Freeman, the 2020 NL MVP, led the Braves to their first World Series title since 1995 last season. I still know he'll be ready to play a baseball game." Minutes later, Freeman held up his batting helmet to the fans following another ovation before his first-inning at-bat. Freeman struck out in the second inning. He grinned and gave the ring a kiss. A rush of them forced him to walk out of his pregame news conference before it began.

Freddie Freeman, an ex-longtime Brave who helped that team win last year's World Series, had a tearful day in Atlanta with the Dodgers, who won 4-1.

“I know I got a different uniform on, but I still love each and every one of you guys,” he said. “The Braves have always been king in Atlanta … so Freddie, he took on that role for the city.” (With a laugh, he added that they still had his “Freddie omelet” on the menu.) “If I got into that, we’d be here a long time.” “It was kind of surreal.” When he was drafted by the Braves in 2007, Freeman was only 17. “You just want the opportunity.” “I don’t even know how I’m gonna get through this weekend, to be honest.” “I tried to envision what tonight was going to be like, and this far exceeded my expectations. That changed in 2014. “OK, I’ll try.” “I couldn’t feel my legs for a few innings, to be honest with you,” Freeman said afterward.

Iconic championship-winning MVP first baseman returning to his old home? Sounds familiar. The similarities between Freddie Freeman and Steve Garvey. By Eric ...

“In a word, it’s wonderful to be here,” Garvey said, per the Associated Press after the game. 1 1 1 1 Naturally there was a lot of bitterness in how Garvey’s tenure with the Dodgers ended.

A moment many thought would never happen, but Freddie Freeman will visit Truist Field on Friday opposing the Atlanta Braves for the first time.

Hopefully Braves Country will show their appreciation for him through this series. This will be an emotional weekend for Freeman and his family who envisioned Atlanta being their home for the entirety of his career. Freddie was a fan favorite and an icon in Atlanta — the perfect successor to Chipper Jones.

Los Angeles Dodgers star Freddie Freeman is making his highly anticipated return to Atlanta on Friday when the Blue Crew take on the Braves at Truist Park, ...

L.A. currently owns a 43-25 record, one game ahead of the second-place San Diego Padres. The 32-year-old made a significant impact with the organization, hitting .295/.384/.508 with 271 home runs and 941 RBI in 1,565 games. The California native became a free agent last year, and he and the Braves were far apart in contract negotiations. Why would I close such a special time?" "There’s nothing for me to close here. But there’s nowhere else I want to go.

Through tears, the Dodgers infielder detailed to a room full of reporters his time with the Braves. About how much sacrifice he put in. About his wrist injuries ...

“That ring is just not a ring to me.” Atlanta eventually opted for Matt Olson to play at first, which effectively ended Freeman’s time with the Braves. Because no kid thinks about a World Series, they just think about ‘I want to be in the big leagues.’” But most importantly, about what the World Series he won means to him. Freeman, who gave 12 years of service to the Braves while playing in the “big leagues,” made the All-Star team five times with Atlanta. In 2020, he won National League MVP. And just a year later, he reached the peak of baseball, winning a championship for a team he dedicated over a decade to. Through tears, the Dodgers infielder detailed to a room full of reporters his time with the Braves. About how much sacrifice he put in.

ATLANTA -- In his first game back at Truist Park, Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman couldn't hold back his emotions. He cried when he saw 14 Braves ...

They stood on the top railing of the visiting dugout to support Freeman in his moment. I think there was a lot made of the velocity early, but the last four or five, he’s held his velocity. The Dodgers have traditionally been more conservative with his workload. In the fifth, the Dodgers tacked on two more runs against Anderson. Turner launched his 10th homer of the season, a solo shot to give Los Angeles a 3-0 lead. The early offense was plenty for Urías, who allowed one run and struck out nine in six innings. I think it’s a good thing, and it’s good for us to be out there supporting him.”

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman couldn't stop crying before Friday's game in Atlanta against his Braves team of 12 years.

Braves pitcher Ian Anderson left the mound to allow Freeman to acknowledge fans in every direction with either a wave, a nod or both. Freeman heard mostly polite clapping when he moved to the plate. With the Braves trailing 4-1, along the way to losing by that score, Freeman was met with low-level boos as he led off the top of the inning. What everybody knew Friday was that Freeman returned to the city he claimed he never wanted to leave as a Major League player. Then Freeman and the Braves had a nasty breakup, but only from Freeman’s standpoint. Moments earlier, he crept toward the stage in the packed room of mostly media folks who report on the Braves — you know, the same team in which he was the face of the franchise. Freeman wasn’t pleased with Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos in particular, and he said as much through clenched teeth during his first Dodgers press conference in spring training. The cheering lasted a while, and so did another standing ovation. It got more emotional for Freeman about 15 minutes before the first pitch. I was 20 years old, some saw me when I was 17 in the Gulf Coast League. Rome, Georgia. Myrtle Beach and Pearl, Mississippi in 2009. “Help me get through it, and help my family get through it, too. Hold on,” Freeman said, wearing his Dodgers warmup jersey as he covered his face while rushing out the door.

Los Angeles Dodgers star Freddie Freeman's return to Atlanta was a sight to behold ... and further proved how badly the Braves screwed up.

When Freeman came up to bat for the first time as the opposition at Truist Park, the crowd once again roared in support and Freeman took a moment to soak it all in. The Braves failed to see that, it seems — at least if we’re to believe the manner in which the negotiations went down. Freeman received his World Series ring upon his triumphant return and the Braves prepared a beautiful tribute video for the slugger. The Dodgers’ handled business and took home a 4-1 victory, which was in line with the theme that the Braves did wrong by one of the best players in their franchise’s history. Not many expected Freeman to break down in tears multiple times, which truly showed his adoration for the 15 years he spent with the organization. Thankfully, those in attendance at Truist Park made that a reality for Freeman and his family.

The Atlanta Braves faced a difficult decision this offseason. Retain the face of the franchise on the heels of a World Series win or opt for a younger, ...

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