Freese turns down invite to Cardinals' HOF

NEW YORK -- A St. Louis area native and someone aware of the rich history of the Cardinals' organization, David Freese always felt somewhat uncomfortable being lumped in with the franchise’s other legendary players, even though he did author a playoff performance for the ages in 2011.

Even though fans deemed Freese worthy of a spot among St. Louis greats by electing him to the Cardinals Hall of Fame earlier this year via a fan vote, he said he felt unworthy of such a distinction not long after his appointment. Accordingly, Freese informed the team in recent days that he would be declining his election into the franchise’s Hall of Fame. Freese was set to enter the Cardinals Hall of Fame along with player/coach/instructor Jose Oquendo and former pitcher Max Lanier on Aug. 19, but now only the latter two will be inducted.

“This is something that I have given an extreme amount of thought to, humbly, even before the voting process began,” Freese said in a release. “I am aware of the impact I had helping the team bring great memories to the city I grew up in, including the 11th championship, but this honor means more to me.

“I look at who I was during my [Cardinals] tenure, and that weighs heavily on me. The Cardinals and the entire city have always had my back in every way. I’m forever grateful to be part of such an amazing organization and fan base then, now and in the future. I’m especially sorry to the fans that took the time to cast their votes.

"Cardinal Nation is basically the reason why I’ve unfortunately waited so long for this decision and made it more of a headache for so many people. I feel strongly about my decision and understand how people might feel about this. I get it. I’ll wear it. Thank you for always being there for me, and I am excited to be around the Cardinals as we move forward.”

Freese, who went to high school in Wildwood, Mo., and community college in Kirkwood, Mo., hit arguably the biggest World Series home run in team history when his walk-off blast lifted the Cardinals past the Rangers in Game 6 of the 2011 World Series. Two innings earlier, Freese had a two-out, two-run triple in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings. Freese is one of just nine players in NL/AL history to be named MVP of the World Series and LCS in the same year.

In his career with the Cardinals from 2009-13, Freese slashed .286/.356/.427 (.783 OPS) with 81 doubles, 44 home runs and 237 RBIs in 466 games. In 2012, Freese had career highs of 20 homers and 79 RBIs while batting .293 and earning his only career All-Star Game selection.

Cardinals president Bill DeWitt III said while disappointed by Freese declining the Hall invite, he understood the former third baseman’s uneasiness with the honor.

“Although we are disappointed that David has declined to be inducted into our Hall of Fame, we respect his decision and look forward to celebrating his great Cardinals career in other ways going forward,” DeWitt said. “He is always welcome at Busch Stadium.”

In addition to inducting Oquendo and Lanier on Aug. 19, St. Louis also plans to honor Scott Rolen, a Cardinals Hall of Famer and a newly elected Baseball Hall of Famer. Rolen, a part of the Cards’ 2006 World Series championship team, announced in the spring that his plaque in the Baseball Hall of Fame will be adorned with a Cardinals cap.