Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman Gets Warm Ovation in Return to Atlanta
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Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman has been back to Atlanta since he signed with LA before the 2022 season, but the Braves faithful made sure to give him a proper welcome during his first game back in 2023 as well.
Before his first at-bat on Monday, Freeman got a nice ovation from the Braves crowd. The ovation grew when Freeman gave some love to the crowd back.
Noted baseball personality Jared Carrabis of DraftKings posted on Twitter: "They still got love for Freddie in the ATL."
Good on the umpiring crew for allowing the moment to transpire without worrying about the pitch clock, and good on Braves pitcher Charlie Morton for allowing the moment to breathe as well.
Freeman spent the first 12 years of his career in Atlanta, helping the Braves win the 2021 World Series. He also made five All-Star games, won the 2020 MVP, won a Gold Glove, and received MVP votes in six different seasons in Atlanta.
He moved onto Los Angeles before the 2022 season and made the All-Star team yet again -- also receiving MVP votes.
Entering play on Monday, he was hitting .321 this season with eight RBI.
For his career, he's a .299 hitter with 300 homers. He recently made history by hitting a grand slam for his 300th homer.
At the time of this posting, the Braves lead the Dodgers, 4-1, in the bottom of the third inning. Freeman ended up striking out in that first at-bat and is 0-1.
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