As the Los Angeles Dodgers ramp up for another season with championship aspirations, one of the franchise’s most steady presences is taking stock of his legacy and what’s still ahead.
Veteran first baseman Freddie Freeman, entering his 17th big league season, spent part of spring training this week at Camelback Ranch offering some candid thoughts on his future, why he’s still motivated and what staying with the Dodgers means to him.
Freeman, 36, has already built a Hall of Fame-caliber career that includes a National League MVP award, multiple All-Star selections, and pivotal postseason heroics.
Since joining the Dodgers in 2022, he’s slashed a combined .310/.391/.516 with 96 homers and 381 RBIs through the first four years of his tenure in Los Angeles.
But as another season nears, that past success feels balanced with the reality that his playing days are finite. Instead of avoiding the topic, Freeman tackled it with refreshing honesty.
“I’m not worried about another contract. Not going to bring it up [and] not going to talk about it. I got two years left; I’m just an employee. I just do my job, and if they want me back, they want me back,” he said, nodding to the fact that his current deal runs through the 2027 season.
“I love being here. I’m from Southern California. I’ve had a great time. The fans, you guys treat me great. Everyone’s treating my family good. That’s out of my control.”
Freeman‘s remarks underscore not only his gratitude for his time in Dodger Blue but also a genuine desire to finish his career where he currently stands, in the only uniform he’s known since leaving Atlanta. Those aspirations extend beyond the end of his existing contract. According to reports, he’s contemplated playing until he’s 40, a span that would land him near the 20-year mark in the majors.
“I love the game. I’ve always loved the game. The game means more to me just because it’s gotten me through my life,” Freeman explained.
“So, I love this game. I don’t want it to end, but I get it. It’s going to end. Father time is going to catch up. We’re keeping it off for a long time, though.”
Freeman‘s comments come at a time when the Dodgers are retooling a roster that just completed back-to-back World Series championships, adding stars such as outfielder Kyle Tucker and reliever Edwin Díaz in an effort to become the first team since the late 1990s-era New York Yankees to win three straight titles.
Freeman‘s place in Dodgers history
To many in the Dodgers organization, Freeman‘s presence goes beyond the numbers. Teammates and front-office personnel alike see him as a steadying force, someone who has delivered in clutch moments and helped cultivate a culture of excellence.
Throughout his tenure in Los Angeles, Freeman has provided some of the franchise’s most indelible moments, including a historic walk-off grand slam in the 2024 World Series, the first of its kind in Fall Classic history.
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