Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman is no spring chicken, in the midst of his age-36 17th season, but he looks like he is in the midst of his prime as a hitter.
Freeman just made the All-Star team again, marking the 10th time he has gotten the honor, and he is continuing to show his status as an ageless wonder.
Rather than focusing on increasing his bat speed or drastically adjusting his launch angle, Freeman remains consistent by staying true to himself, using his sweet swing and amazing eye to great effect.
Additionally, after battling ankle troubles, Freeman is moving better than ever at first base, leading to strong defense and strong offensive production that has him ranked at the top among regular-season first basemen and as the best come the postseason.
Freeman has one year left on his current contract, where he is only making around $22-23 million. According to the first baseman, he wants to play beyond the end of his contract.
“I’ve always wanted to try and play until I’m 40 years old,” Freeman said at the All-Star game. “So that would be three more years after this. I don’t know. I’m not going to put a firm number on it.
“But I would have to get another contract. So I’m only worried about this year. Twenty years in the big leagues would be kind of cool and special. Obviously, that would be nice to achieve, but we’ll see what life has in store in the next few years.”
This is not the first time that Freeman has relayed this kind of timeline; he did something similar at Dodgers Fest.
Additionally, he wants to get to 3,00 hits, which would require another 466, needing to play without an injury for the rest of this season and three more years to get close.
However, there was recently some doubt put into his playing future, given that long.
What could stop Freddie Freeman from playing until he is 40
Freeman has laid out one possible roadblock to his plans — his newborn baby girl, who has admittedly raised questions about how much of her early life he wants to miss.
“Obviously, getting 3,000 hits would be very, very cool,” Freeman said in May. “But ever since baby girl came into this world about a month ago, my perspective has changed a little bit on individual stats and how long I would want to play.
“I’m missing things for something she’ll never know. She’s not going to know I missed these things either. But it weighs on me and my heart. I think everybody who knows me knows it weighs on me hard.
“All I ever wanted was a family. But all I ever wanted to do was play baseball, too. It’s such a hard thing, it really is.”
Given his recent comments, Freeman is seemingly still eyeing another three years of baseball, which would be a real gift to the sport and Dodgers fans, who get to see one of the few old-school hitters still getting it done.
6 Responses
i am a bit fickle when it comes to favorite players but not with freddy, he is old school, one of a kind guy and player. he just got me so excited when he hit that HR with the bases loaded against the yanks in the WS. i think i laughed for an hour, right after his hit. i do not know the authenticity; however, i read somewhere that the dodgers want him in the organization after his retirement.
Hand him a blank contract and ask him to fill out whatever he wants!
It’s all between his wife and him to decide! There will be home games and offseason to be home and be a complete husband and father.
Freddie is a true all American baseball player, and family man. You will notice he always pats the opposing players on the back, and starts a small conversation. He is a true asset to the Dodgers, and a motivator for his teammates. The Dodgers need to keep in the organization even after he retires from playing.
I hope Freddie stays healthy and can compete another 3 years to reach his goal of 3000 hits.
He is a class act and what I miss in a lot of modern day players.
I remember back in the day when I made the decision to walk away from baseball which to this day I regret. I wasn’t a superstar but I could hold my own on the field. As a catcher I was always in the game enjoying being the field general trying to position the fielders where the batters strengths and tendencies were. I was young and foolish about having to play in the minors and regret not sticking it out.
It was tough being 18 and knowing everything.
Freddie should consider sticking it out and seeing how he feels in a year or two whether his goal is reachable or not.
I think back to my childhood hero Roberto Clemente who was not able reach this goal due to the fatal plane crash while trying to help feed Nicaraguan victims of an earthquake.
Stay the coarse Freddie you will not regret it.
I agree with those that say Freddie should stay with the organization after his playing career. Great guy, great player. Freeman and Justin Turner both belong with the Dodgers, even if it just as ambassadors like Koufax.