Frederick Charles Freeman was born on September 12, 1989, inFountain Valley, California to Fredrick and Rosemary Freeman. Both of his parents are Canadians from the province ofOntario who moved to California because of Fredrick's work commitments;[2][3] his father is fromWindsor, while his mother was fromPeterborough.[4] Rosemary died ofmelanoma when Freeman was 10; Freeman always wears a long-sleeved shirt during games to honor her memory.[5][2] Freeman has two older brothers, Andrew and Phillip,[6] and is a sixth generationSalvationist.[7] Because Freeman's parents were both born in Canada, Freeman holds dual Canadian and American citizenship.[8][9]
Freeman was called up to the Braves on September 1, 2010, as part of the team's September call-ups, and made his MLB debut that same day.[24] On September 5, 2010, he got his first career MLB hit offFlorida Marlins pitcherClay Hensley, and on September 21, 2010, he hit his first MLBhome run offPhiladelphia Phillies pitcherRoy Halladay.[25][26] He played 20 games with the Braves and batted .167. Freeman was not a part of the Braves' playoff roster.[27] He returned to the Arizona Fall League, this time to play for thePhoenix Desert Dogs.[28][29][30]
Freeman began the 2011 season as the starting first baseman for the Braves. After a slow start, his performance improved and he had been mentioned as a strong candidate for Rookie of the Year.[31] On July 4, 2011, Freeman hit two home runs against the Colorado Rockies, for his first multi-home run game.[32] Freeman was the first Braves rookie to reach 50 RBIs by July 18 sinceHank Aaron accomplished this feat in 1954.[33] He was named NL rookie of the month for July; during that month, Freeman led all Major League rookies with 38 hits, a .362 batting average, and a.433 on-base percentage in 27 games. He also led all NL rookies with six homers and 17 runs. His 18 RBIs tied for the most in the NL among rookies.[34]
In August, Freeman andDan Uggla became the first members of the Braves to have concurrent twenty-gamehitting streaks in the modern era.[35] Freeman's streak ended at 20 games on August 7.[36] Freeman finished the 2011 year batting .282 with 32 doubles, 21 home runs, and 76 RBI in 157 games played.[37]
Freeman finished second to teammateCraig Kimbrel in theNL Rookie of the Year balloting.[38] Kimbrel and Freeman were the first teammates to finish first and second since 1989, when the Chicago Cubs'Jerome Walton andDwight Smith came in first and second.[39] The only other time two Braves finished in the top five, the organization was still located in Milwaukee—Gene Conley was voted third-best rookie of the 1954 season;Hank Aaron came in fourth.[39]
In 2013, Freeman was selected as a finalist for the2013 Major League Baseball All-Star GameFinal Vote, where he won with a record-setting total of 19.7 million fan votes, but was unable to play because of a thumb injury suffered three days before the game.[41] Freeman finished the 2013 season with a .319 batting average, along with 23 homers and 109 RBI in 147 games played. He finished fifth on theNational League Most Valuable Player award voting.[42]
On February 4, 2014, Freeman agreed to an eight-year, $135 million extension.[43][44] Freeman was named an All-Star for the second time in 2014, and played the last three innings of the game.[45] He led the team in batting average and on-base plus slugging percentage in 2014. Freeman also set a franchise record for innings played.[46] During a game against thePhiladelphia Phillies on June 27, 2014, Freeman hit a three-run homer offKyle Kendrick to left center field caught by broadcasterTom McCarthy.[47] Freeman finished the 2014 year by appearing in all 162 games batting .288 with 90 walks, 43 doubles, 18 home runs, and 78 RBI.[37]
On June 17, 2015, Freeman was listed as day-to-day with an injury to his right wrist originally sustained during a June 13 game against theNew York Mets.[48] He missed the June 18 game against theBoston Red Sox, ending a streak of 234 consecutive games played, which led the majors at the time.[49] Freeman was officially placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 23,[50] and received aplatelet-rich plasma injection soon afterward.[51] He was eligible for activation on July 3,[52] but did not return to action until July 28,[53] three days after he was removed from the disabled list.[54] For the season, Freeman hit for a .276 batting average with 18 home runs and 66 RBIs in 118 games, his fewest played since 2011.[55]
General managerJohn Coppolella became responsible for the team's transactions in the 2014–15 off-season,[56][57] and played a large role in the Braves' rebuild, trading away many players.[58] However, during the 2015–16 off-season, Coppolella repeatedly stated he would not trade Freeman.[59][60][61] At the beginning of the 2016 season, Freeman was expected to lead the team on the field,[62] despite the wrist injury the previous year adversely affecting his off-season preparations.[63] Freeman had a difficult start to the season but began hitting well in June.[64] On June 15, Freemanhit his first career cycle in a 9–8 victory against theCincinnati Reds.[65] He was named National League Player of the Week soon after that performance.[66] Freeman recorded his first 30-home run season in 2016, reaching that mark on September 13,[63] shortly after claiming his second Player of the Week award of the season.[67] That same day he also drove in the 500th run of his career.[63] On September 29, Freeman's 30-game hitting streak, which had begun on August 24, was halted with an 0–4 night against thePhiladelphia Phillies. It had been a part of a larger 46-game run of getting on base, which also ended.[68] During the penultimate week of the regular season, Freeman again was recognized as Player of the Week, and named National League Player of the Month for September at the end of the year.[69][70] Overall in 2016, Freeman played 158 games with a .302 batting average, 43 doubles, 34 home runs, and 91 RBI.[37] For the season, he led all major league hitters inline drive percentage (29.1%).[71] He finished sixth on theNational League Most Valuable Player award voting.[72]
Freeman was the starting first baseman on Opening Day against theNew York Mets, going 3–4, including a triple.[73] In the first game atSunTrust Park, Freeman doubled in a couple of runs.[74] He continued to tear up Padres pitching, hitting three homers in the series.[75] On April 19 against theWashington Nationals, he set a franchise record for most consecutive plate appearances to get on base with a solo homer.[76]
On May 17, Freeman was hit by a pitch fromAaron Loup of Toronto, resulting in him leaving the game. An MRI and CT scan later revealed a non-displaced wrist fracture in his left hand, ruling him out for up to 10 weeks.[77] At the time, Freeman was an early candidate for the MVP award, leading the league in home runs with 14, and ranking second in both on-base and slugging percentage.[78][79]
While rehabilitating his hand injury, Freeman stated in June 2017 that he offered to play third base upon his return, because his replacement at first base,Matt Adams, was hitting well.[80][81] On July 1, Freeman appeared with the Triple-AGwinnett Braves on a rehab assignment in which he played third base.[82] Three days later, he returned to Atlanta, and started at third base against theHouston Astros.[83] Freeman recorded his 1,000th career hit in a game against the Washington Nationals on July 6.[84] Braves managerBrian Snitker stated in August that Freeman would no longer play third base regularly, as injuries to other players necessitated late-season promotions and allowed Freeman to return to first base.[85]
Freeman finished the season batting .307 with 28 home runs and 71 RBIs despite only playing in 117 games, his lowest total since 2010.[75] He led the Braves in home runs, batting average, and was second in RBIs.[86]
Freeman underwentLASIK surgery in October 2017,[87][88] to correct vision problems that had manifested since 2012.[89] He was selected to his thirdAll-Star game as the National League's starting first baseman.[90] He also accepted an invitation to participate in the2018 Home Run Derby.[91]
Freeman finished the regular season as the National League leader in base hits with 191.[92] OnlyWhit Merrifield had more in Major League Baseball.[93] He also finished as the Braves' team leader in batting average (.309), on-base percentage (.388), slugging percentage (.505), doubles (44), walks (76), and RBIs (98).[92][94] For the season, he led all major league hitters inline drive percentage (32.3%).[95]
At midseason, Freeman was selected as the National League starter at first base in the2019 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. The appearance was his second consecutive start in the game and his fourth All-Star Game selection overall.[100]
On October 18, it was revealed he had undergone right elbow surgery to remove a bone spur. Freeman admitted the spur had bothered him in recent years. It was first discovered on September 13.[105]
Freeman tested positive forCOVID-19 in July 2020, before the season began.[106][107] He was one of the few symptomatic MLB patients, experiencing a loss of smell and a high fever.[108] He recovered in time to participate in some training camp activities, held before theshortened season's Opening Day.[109] Freeman hit his first careergrand slam on September 4, in the second game of a doubleheader against theWashington Nationals off pitcherTanner Rainey.[110] Two days later, he hit another grand slam, against Nationals pitcherKyle Finnegan.[111] On September 9, he reached 1,500 career hits with a home run. During that same game against theMiami Marlins, he set a career-high by driving in six runs.[112]
Freeman after an at-bat during his final season with the Braves in 2021
Freeman was named the National League's starting first baseman for the2021 All-Star Game.[123] On August 18, hehit for the cycle against the Marlins.[124] This was the fourth time an Atlanta Braves player had done it, the second time for Freeman, and only the ninth time in Braves' history.[125] His second career cycle improved his batting average to .301.[126][127] Freeman finished the season with a .300 batting average, a .896 OPS, and 31 home runs.[128] The 2021 Braves became the second team in MLB history for which each starting infielder hit at least 25 home runs.[129] On October 12, Freeman hit what would turn out to be the game-winning solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning in a tiedNational League Division Series game four against theMilwaukee Brewers. This home run in a knotted 4–4 ballgame allowed the Braves to advance to theNational League Championship Series for the second consecutive year.[130]
The Braves faced theHouston Astros in theWorld Series. In Game 5, Freeman hit a 460-foot home run.[131] The Braves defeated the Astros in six games, with Freeman recording the final putout of the Series.[11] Freeman received his third consecutiveSilver Slugger Award and his firstBabe Ruth Award.[132][133] He joined Hank Aaron, Chipper Jones, andJohnny Evers as the only Braves to win a World Series and an MVP award.[134]
The last year of Freeman's contract with the Braves was 2021, and he was widely expected to remain with the Braves.[135] Freeman stated a desire to remain with the Braves for his whole career.[136] Freeman and the Braves had exchanged offers for a new contract during the 2021 season, including a five-year, $125 million offer the Braves made before thetrade deadline. Freeman declined the Braves' qualifying offer following the season and became afree agent for the first time in his career.[137] During the offseason, the Braves reportedly increased their offer to five years and $140 million, but Freeman and his agent insisted on a sixth year. Freeman's agent gave the Braves an ultimatum, offering them two proposals and giving them one hour to accept one of them. The Braves declined both and pulled their offer off the table. The following day, the Braves acquired first basemanMatt Olson from theOakland Athletics and signed Olson to an eight-year extension, effectively closing the door on Freeman's tenure as a Brave.[138][139]
Other teams pursued Freeman during the offseason, including theLos Angeles Dodgers, and, with no future in Atlanta, Freeman opted to return home to Southern California.[140] On March 18, 2022, he signed a six-year, $162 million contract with the Dodgers.[141][142]
Freeman made his Dodgers debut on April 8, 2022, batting second in the lineup and going 1–3 with a walk against theColorado Rockies.[143] On April 18, before a game between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves atDodger Stadium, Freeman was presented his 2021 Silver Slugger Award, with Braves manager Brian Snitker and hitting coachKevin Seitzer attending the ceremony. In the game that followed, Freeman hit his first home run as a Dodger in what was also his first career at-bat against his former team.[144] Freeman was presented hisWorld Series ring before the Dodgers played the Braves atTruist Park on June 24.[145][146] Several days later, it was falsely reported that Freeman had fired his agent and management team.[147]
Freeman was named anAll-Star on July 17, replacingStarling Marte on the National League roster.[148][149] In 159 games in 2022, Freeman led MLB with 199 hits and 47 doubles as well as leading the majors inline drive percentage (27.5%).[150] His batting average was second in the National League at .325 and he had 21 home runs and 100 RBI.[37]
On May 18, 2023, Freeman hit his 300th career home run, a grand slam off ofGénesis Cabrera of theSt. Louis Cardinals.[151] About a month later, Freeman earned his 2,000th career hit, becoming the 295th MLB player to do so.[152] At midseason, Freeman was named starting first baseman for the National League in theAll-Star Game, his third consecutive selection.[153] On September 8, Freeman hit his 53rd double of the season breaking the Dodgers franchise record held byJohnny Frederick with the1929 Brooklyn Robins.[154] On September 22 against theSan Francisco Giants, he picked up his 200th hit of the season, the first Dodger to do so sinceAdrián Beltré in2004. He became the only first baseman in history to have 20 home runs, 20 steals, and 200 hits in the same season.[155] In 161 games, Freeman finished with a .331 batting average, 211 hits, 29 home runs, 102 RBI, 102 runs scored, and an MLB-leading 59 doubles. Defensively, he committed only one error in 1,260total chances in 1,3781⁄3 innings played for a league-leading .999fielding percentage at his position.[37]
On May 20, 2024, during a game against theArizona Diamondbacks,[156] Freeman hit his sixth career grand slam against pitcherSlade Cecconi.[157][158] Freeman hit another grand slam on July 19 againstBoston Red Sox pitcherBrennan Bernardino.[159] He played in his fourth consecutiveAll-Star Game.[160] However, his three-year-old son came down with a viral infection during the event and was later paralyzed, hospitalized, and put on a ventilator. Freeman missed 8 games to care for his son.[161] He played in 147 games, with 22 home runs, 89 RBI, and a .282 batting average, his lowest since the2015 season.[37]
Freeman suffered a serious ankle sprain in the Dodgers home finale on September 26 which hampered him in theNLDS.[162][163] He still managed to play in four of the five games, batting .286 (four hits in 14 at-bats).[164] The injury continued to bother him in theNLCS, as he had just three hits in four games (.167 average)[165] and was not in the lineup for the clinching Game 6.[166]
In Game 1 of theWorld Series, while still feeling the effects of the ankle injury, Freeman hit awalk-off grand slam—the first in a World Series game—offNestor Cortés of theNew York Yankees.[167][168] He then hit homers in Games 2, 3, and 4 of the Series, becoming the first player to homer in the first four games of a World Series. He also extended his streak of World Series games with a home run to six, a record, while hitting .300 with six runs scored and a triple in the series.[37][169] His 12 RBI in the series set a franchise record and tied the World Series record set in 1960 byBobby Richardson.[170][171] The Dodgers won the Series in five games, and Freeman received theWorld Series Most Valuable Player Award.[172]
Freeman underwent surgery on his injured ankle after the season.[173]
Freddie Freeman and his wife at the Los Angeles Dodgers parade, 2025
Freeman was initially in the lineup for theTokyo Series to start the 2025 season but was scratched from Game 1 due to left rib discomfort.[174] He hit his 350th career home run off pitcherSandy Alcántara on May 5.[175] On May 12, Freeman was named the NL Player of the Week for May 5–May 11 after going 12-for-24 with three home runs, 12 RBI, and seven extra base hits.[176] Fans selected him to start theAll-Star Game, his fifth start.[177][160] On June 28, Freeman recorded his 4,000th career total base on a home run against theKansas City Royals in the seventh inning. He became the 91st player in Major League history to achieve this feat.[178] He finished the season with a slash line of .295/.367/.502 with 24 home runs and 90 RBI in 147 games.[37]
In the postseason, Freeman had two hits, including a double, in 10 at-bats in theWild Card Series, three hits in 15 at-bats in theNLDS, and four hits (including a home run and two doubles) in 16 at-bats in the2025 NLCS.[37] In Game 3 of theWorld Series, Freeman hit awalk-off home run offBrendon Little of theToronto Blue Jays in the 18th inning, becoming the first player to hit a walk-off home run multiple times in the World Series.[179] Overall, in the seven game series, he had six hits in 29 at-bats (.207 average) as the Dodgers defeated the Blue Jays repeat as champions and give Freeman his third-career World Series championship.[180]
Freeman, who holds Canadian citizenship through his parents, changed his representation toCanada for the2017 World Baseball Classic (WBC),[182] something he had always wanted to do.[183][184] In the tournament, Freeman hit .182/.182/.182 with two hits and three strikeouts.[185] In the2023 WBC, Freeman again played for Canada. He slashed .200/.273/.200 in 10 at-bats, with two hits and one walk.[186] Canada finished third in Pool C, behind the U.S. andMexico, eliminated from the tournament but qualifying for thenext WBC.
Freeman's powerful swing, in which he moves his shoulders slightly before lowering his hands, has been described as "unorthodox" and compared to a tennisforehand. His hand-eye coordination and ability to adjust to pitchers from one plate appearance to the next have also drawn praise.[187]
He formerly wore contact lenses while playing,[188] and occasionally even wore glasses, a rarity for position players in MLB,[189] until finally having his vision repaired withLasik surgery.[190]
Freeman is viewed positively by fans and competitors who have described him as kind, humble, and a good leader.[191] He is noted for his propensity to strike up conversations with opposing baserunners.[192] Braves managerBrian Snitker described Freeman as "my rock" and "everything that the Braves stand for."[11] Dodgers managerDave Roberts described him as "the modern-dayTony Gwynn."[193]
Freeman married Chelsea Goff in 2014. She appeared in season 8, episode 15 ofSay Yes to the Dress: Atlanta.[194] The couple has three sons.[195][196][197][198] Freeman's youngest son, Maximus, was diagnosed withGuillain–Barré syndrome in 2024.[199] While he played for the Braves, Freeman and his family lived in Atlanta during baseball season and in California during the off-season.[200] Shortly after signing with the Dodgers, he commuted toDodger Stadium fromCorona del Mar and planned to maintain his Atlanta residence.[201] Later, he began renting a home inStudio City.[202][203][204]
During a2014 winter storm, Freeman was stuck in a traffic jam that was not moving. Freeman stayed stuck for hours until former teammateChipper Jones arrived on hisATV and rescued Freeman.[205] In January 2016, the Atlanta Braves announced a "Chipper Rescues Freddie" bobblehead night for the following season. This was used as a promotional night for the franchise.[206][207]
^Nightengale, Bob (March 18, 2022)."Freddie Freeman thrilled to be at home with Dodgers in Los Angeles after stunning Braves departure".USA Today. RetrievedApril 13, 2022.Freeman and his family plan to find a second home closer to Dodger Stadium, instead of having a 90-minute commute each day from Corona Del Mar. Freeman may no longer play baseball in Atlanta, but he still plans to keep his home there, with the entire family already arranging this year's Thanksgiving together in Atlanta.
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