Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Appreciates Old School Mentality Freddie Freeman Brings to Clubhouse
When the Dodgers signed first baseman Freddie Freeman early in spring training in 2022, everyone knew the team was getting a professional hitter and one of the better players in the game at that point. For manager Dave Roberts, he’s learned how much more Freeman brings to the table.
In a recent conversation with USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Roberts praised the All-Star’s work ethic and consistency day in and day out.
“I’ve never seen a player like Freddie Freeman play the way he plays on every single pitch,” Roberts says, “and holds his teammates accountable to the same level of standard. You don’t see the modern player challenge or hold their teammates accountable like they used to. This guy does. And he does it every single day.”
Via USA Today
It’s true what Roberts is saying about differences in the modern player versus the old school throwback player that might take a teammate aside for a lambasting after a mental error. Beyond his work in the clubhouse, Freeman is also a throwback gritty type of player that plays every single day, regardless of how dinged and bruised up he is.
Like Sunday, Freeman played after being hit on the knee by a pitch the night before. Most players would have missed a game but not Freeman. When he misses an inning, it is news.
Every day Freeman follows the same routine. He has an approach to every pitch in an at-bat. He knows how to field every ball hit to him or how to catch every throw to him.
This may sound boring to most people, even to baseball players, but this is how Freeman is one of the best players in the major leagues after he reached them with the Atlanta Braves in 2010.
This year Freeman might win his second National League MVP, and he should. He has a .339 batting average with 23 home runs, 83 RBI, and 1.005 OPS. He has prevented many errant throws for his fellow infielders. His baserunning is elite despite not having super speed, and this aspect of the game has helped the Dodgers win.
While Freeman isn’t splashy, his consistency should be marveled at on his way to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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