Freddie Freeman is back in Atlanta, and you can almost feel the excitement in the air. As he steps onto the field as the starting first baseman for the National League in the All-Star Game, his return to the city he once called home for 12 seasons is charged with emotion and nostalgia.
Now in his fourth season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Freeman has always worn his heart on his sleeve when it comes to this city. He knows exactly what to expect from the fans who have cheered him on for over a decade. “For the last four years, every time I come back, the fans, they’ve given me such great big standing ovations,” Freeman shared. “I don’t expect anything, but I’m just happy to be back and play in front of these fans again. If they give me one, believe me, I’ll take it all in.”
It’s this deep-seated connection that makes Freeman’s return unique. The Dodgers’ manager, Dave Roberts, understands just how significant this moment is for his star player. “I know once they announced that it was going to be held here, it was marked on his calendar,” Roberts noted. “That was kind of his goal — to get back here and get in front of the Braves’ faithful that cheered him on for all those years.”
The emotional pull of Atlanta clearly resonated with Freeman, who mentioned that he has been reconnecting with Braves manager Brian Snitker and some former teammates. But it’s the bond he cherishes with the Atlanta fans that’s at the forefront of his mind. “I think every time I come back, I try to portray what Atlanta means to me,” he reflected. “Oh, it’s special every time I come back and the receptions they’ve given me the last four years. I spent a lot of wonderful years here… I’m excited to be back.”
As Freeman prepares to take the field, it’s clear that this game is about more than just baseball. It represents a celebration of passion, community, and the indelible mark that a city can leave on a player’s career. The All-Star Game offers him a stage to express his gratitude, and if history is any indication, the crowd will respond in kind — with a roar that echoes the affection both he and Atlanta hold for each other.
