Ex-Braves Freddie Freeman, Max Fried Making Return to Atlanta as All-Stars

4 years of return visits to Atlanta have ready Freddie Freeman for an additional Tuesday night time, this time because the beginning first baseman for the Nationwide League within the All-Star Recreation.

Freeman, now in his fourth season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, performed his first 12 seasons in Atlanta. He makes no effort to cover his feelings when he returns and says he will not be shocked if one other heat reception from Atlanta followers creates one other emotional response.

“Now that I’m right here, I feel it’s going to be particular,” Freeman mentioned earlier than Monday night time’s Dwelling Run Derby. “For the final 4 years, each time I come again, the followers — they’ve given me such nice massive, standing ovations, so I don’t count on something.

“I’m simply comfortable to be again and play in entrance of those followers once more. So if they provide me one, imagine me, I’ll take all of it in. I feel you guys know, no matter I really feel on the sphere, I let it come out. So we’ll see what occurs tomorrow.”

Freeman will not be the one 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. Each gamers nonetheless have properties in Atlanta and get to sleep in their very own beds this week.

Fried will not be capable of take part within the recreation as a consequence of a blister on his left index finger.

Fried left Atlanta to signal an eight-year, $218 million contract with the Yankees in December.

Freeman mentioned he was “so comfortable” Fried landed the large contract.

“I feel everyone knows Max and the way great an individual he’s,” Freeman mentioned. “And to see him get that contract rightfully, he deserves. He’s, you realize, a big-game pitcher pitching on the most important stage. … And it’s actually laborious in your first yr of a brand new contract, new crew. … And for him to go on the market and have (success), it’s superior. Particularly in pinstripes within the Bronx, when there’s a whole lot of stress on you.”

Fried was changed on the All-Star roster by Yankees teammate Carlos Rodón however continues to be attending the festivities in Atlanta. The Yankees might begin Fried in a three-game sequence at AL East-leading Toronto on July 21-23 after opening the second half by visiting the Braves.

Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned it was clear how a lot it meant to Freeman to return to Atlanta as an All-Star.

“It’s one thing that I do know as soon as they introduced that it was going to be held right here, it was marked on his calendar,” Roberts mentioned. “After which that was type of his objective, was to get again right here and get in entrance of the Braves’ trustworthy that cheered him on for, what, 11, 12 years. So he’s sleeping in his personal mattress for a pair nights.”

Freeman mentioned he has visited with Braves supervisor Brian Snitker and a few former teammates however spent extra time relishing his relationship with the Atlanta followers.

“It’s particular,” he mentioned. “I feel each time I come again, I attempt to painting what Atlanta means to me. Oh, it’s particular each time I come again and the receptions they’ve given me the final 4 years. So I spent a whole lot of great years right here. … I am excited to be again.”

Reporting by The Related Press.

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