As the long awaited 2020 MLB season was approaching, many wondered whether Freddie Freeman, a first baseman for the Atlanta Braves, would be playing on opening day. Freeman, on the other hand, wondered if he would be alive by opening day. Freeman tested positive for COVID-19 in early July, three weeks before opening day. Unlike most athletes who contract the virus, Freeman was fighting for his life. Freeman described one night of dealing with the virus as the scariest night of his life. When his fever spiked to 104.5, he was not sure he was going to make it. Recalling this terrifying experience, Freeman explained that he recited a prayer to himself that night. “Please don’t take me,” he said.
Freeman’s fever went down to 101 the next day, and he was fever free two days later. Despite Freeman’s tough battle, he still felt prepared to jump into the MLB season. He said, “ I didn’t lose any strength.” Once Freeman received two negative COVID-19 tests, he returned to the field to join the Braves’ Summer Camp workouts.
Freeman’s setbacks did not stop him from being ready for the 2020 season. He beat the odds by gaining a spot in the Braves’ opening day lineup and played in all 60 of the Braves’ games. By looking at Freeman’s 2020 performance, he seemed to be correct when he said he didn’t lose his strength. Freeman had a monster season with a .341 batting average and a .462 on base percentage. He led the league in doubles (23) and runs scored (51).
Freeman received 28 out of the 30 first place votes from the members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Freeman joins five other Braves’ players that have taken home the NL MLB award, including most recently, Chipper Jones in 1999. Freeman was overwhelmed with emotion upon receiving the honors. He said, “As a kid, you’re just dreaming of one day being on TV, like the guys you’re watching. For it to come like this, it’s just amazing. I’ve had good years in the past. This year, it just all came together from start to finish.”
The four-time All-Star helped lead the Braves all the way to the NLCS, coming within one win from a World Series berth, falling to eventual World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite the heartbreaking loss, Freeman expressed his excitement for the 2021 season and is hoping to bring a World Series championship home to Atlanta. Freeman has one more year remaining in his 8 year/$135 million contract. Prior to the season, there were talks about extending Freeman’s contract, and after his MVP win, Braves’ fans are even more eager for his contract to extend. While Braves’ GM Alex Anthopoulos has also expressed interest in an extension, it is a waiting game to see if this extension will follow through.
