ATLANTA (AP) 鈥 Four years of return visits to Atlanta has prepared Freddie Freeman for another Tuesday night, this time as the starting first baseman for the National League in the All-Star Game.
Freeman, now in his fourth season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, played his first 12 seasons in Atlanta. He makes no effort to hide his emotions when he returns and says he won’t be surprised if another warm reception from Atlanta fans creates another emotional response.
鈥淣ow that I鈥檓 here, I think it鈥檚 going to be special,鈥 Freeman said before Monday night’s 色色啦 Run Derby. “For the last four years, every time I come back, the fans, they鈥檝e given me such great big, standing ovations, so I don鈥檛 expect anything.
鈥淚鈥檓 just happy to be back and play in front of these fans again. So if they give me one, believe me, I鈥檒l take it all in. I think you guys know, whatever I feel on the field, I let it come out. So we鈥檒l see what happens tomorrow.鈥
色色啦 Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will start at first base and bat fifth for the American League in tonight's Major League Baseball all-star game. He'll be joined on the AL team by fellow Jays teammate Alejandro Kirk, while Canadian international Freddie Freeman plays for the National League's team.
(July 14, 2025 / The Canadian Press)Freeman won’t be the only former Atlanta star making his return. Max Fried, who leads the American League and is tied for the MLB lead with 11 wins in his first season with the New York Yankees, returns following eight seasons with the Braves. Both players still have homes in Atlanta and get to sleep in their own beds this week.
Fried in the game due to a blister on his left index finger.
Fried left Atlanta to sign an
Freeman said he was 鈥渟o happy鈥 Fried landed the big contract.
鈥淚 think we all know Max and how wonderful a person he is,鈥 Freeman said. 鈥淎nd to see him get that contract rightfully, he deserves. He鈥檚, you know, a big-game pitcher pitching on the biggest stage. ... And it鈥檚 really hard in your first year of a new contract, new team. ... And for him to go out there and have (success), it鈥檚 awesome. Especially in pinstripes in the Bronx, when there鈥檚 a lot of pressure on you.鈥
Fried was replaced on the All-Star roster by Yankees teammate Carlos Rod贸n but is still attending the festivities in Atlanta. The Yankees may start Fried in a three-game series at AL East-leading 色色啦 on July 21-23 after opening the second half by visiting the Braves.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said it was clear how much it meant to Freeman to return to Atlanta as an All-Star.
鈥淚t鈥檚 something that I know once they announced that it was going to be held here, it was marked on his calendar,鈥 Roberts said. 鈥淎nd then that was kind of his goal, was to get back here and get in front of the Braves鈥 faithful that cheered him on for, what, 11, 12 years. So he鈥檚 sleeping in his own bed for a couple nights.鈥
Freeman said he has visited with Braves manager Brian Snitker and some former teammates but spent more time relishing his relationship with the Atlanta fans.
“It鈥檚 special,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 think every time I come back, I try to portray what Atlanta means to me. Oh, it鈥檚 special every time I come back and the receptions they鈥檝e given me the last four years. So I spent a lot of wonderful years here. ... I’m excited to be back.鈥
___
AP MLB:
To join the conversation set a first and last name in your user profile.
Sign in or register for free to join the Conversation