Freeman Q&A: 'It's going to be a fun ride'
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A few days before the first game of the National League Division Series against the Cardinals, Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman addressed a wide range of topics with us, from his ailing right elbow to his fondness for manager Brian Snitker.
MLB.com: How’s the elbow?
Freddie Freeman: The elbow is good. We have a nice little Band-Aid on it and it should be good to go the rest of the way.
MLB.com: Will surgery be required as a result of the bone spur?
Freeman: No, not at this time. That is not an option we have talked about yet.
MLB.com: After a few days off, you were able to play against the Mets during the final week of the regular season. How did the swing feel?
Freeman: The swing is OK. I just have to make a few adjustments because I’ve been compensating because [of the elbow] -- falling off. Everything feels good. We should get it locked in [in] the next couple of days.
| Game | Date | Result | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gm 1 | Oct. 3 | STL 7, ATL 6 | Watch |
| Gm 2 | Oct. 4 | ATL 3, STL 0 | Watch |
| Gm 3 | Oct. 6 | ATL 3, STL 1 | Watch |
| Gm 4 | Oct. 7 | STL 5, ATL 4 (10) | Watch |
| Gm 5 | Oct. 9 | STL 13, ATL 1 | Watch |
Shop for postseason gear: MLB.com: The Braves haven’t gone past the NLDS since 2001. What makes you think this team will go far?
Freeman: We can beat you in so many different ways. We have Michael Soroka and Dallas Keuchel, who can pitch shutouts. We can beat you with the long ball and we can small-ball you to death. When we went and acquired those relievers [Chris Martin, Shane Greene and Mark Melancon] at the trade deadline, we [shortened] our game. We are really a complete team even though our bench took a hit with Johan Camargo and Charlie Culberson getting hurt, but a lot of guys have stepped up. We need to continue to step up. Once we get all healthy and [with] Ronald [Acuña Jr.] getting healthy again, I think we have a really good chance.
MLB.com: What do you like about this team?
Freeman: I like everything about it. It’s a tough lineup to navigate for an opposing pitcher and manager. From pitch one, Ronald can hit a home run off you. It’s a deep lineup. Our starting rotation is completely different in so many ways. You have Keuchel and Soroka. You have Mike Foltynewicz, who is a power pitcher. You have Max Fried, who can dominate a lineup at any given time. Julio Teheran knows how to pitch. We have a really good team.
• How Braves' rotation stacks up vs. Cardinals
MLB.com: What do you want to tell Braves fans?
Freeman: Buckle up. It’s going to be a fun ride for a lot of years. This organization is on the right track to be successful for a long time. We won the division two years in a row. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of many more successful journeys.
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MLB.com: When did you know this team was going to give opponents fits?
Freeman: For this year, I knew in Spring Training. No one picked us, but we knew what we had in this clubhouse. You could just tell there was a vibe in Spring Training that this team was going to do something special. It didn’t matter who was picking the division winner, we knew we had a real good chance.
• Cards-Braves Game 1: Lineups, rosters, FAQ
MLB.com: The one acquisition the Braves made that I like was Josh Donaldson. He made a huge comeback this year. What has he brought?
Freeman: He is fantastic. It’s a dynamic the Braves haven’t had for a long time -- the personality he brings to the clubhouse every single day. He has every tool. He wants to play every single day. He is a threat. Before he got hurt, it was him and Mike Trout up there as the best players in the American League. A lot of people wrote him off with [two] injury-plagued seasons. He’s just proven again what he can do when he is healthy.
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MLB.com: A guy that you love is manager Brian Snitker. You supported him from Day 1. I’m aware he knows analytics, but he is an old-school guy. He has proven old-school guys can win too.
Freeman: Everything that is happening to Snit, he deserves. He is a baseball lifer. He is a Braves lifer. He has put in the years to have all the success coming to him. He cares more about the person than the player. That’s why we love him so much. Everybody is going to have their decisions -- analyze, criticize -- but ultimately, it’s how we feel about him in this clubhouse. We would run through a wall for him because he cares about us.
• Braves vs. Cards position by position breakdown
MLB.com: Do you remember the day that you said, "I want Brian Snitker to be my manager for a long time?"
Freeman: The first day he walked into the clubhouse in Pittsburgh in 2016. When he first got the job, we were 9-28. After he gave his speech, I thought we were 28-9. He is a man of few words because he doesn’t like holding team meetings. When he does, it’s so inspirational. He knows how to connect to a person. It has been great since Day One. I knew after that he should be at the helm.
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MLB.com: I think you are having your best season to date. What’s gone into that?
Freeman: I think a lot of things came together for me this year. Having Josh Donaldson hitting behind me starting in May changed [my season]. When you have Ozzie Albies, Ronald and Josh killing left-handed pitching, the opposing managers would leave the right-handers in because they wanted [the matchup] to face Josh. So they were giving me more opportunities for damage because Josh was hitting behind me.
• Braves' 3 keys to beating Cards in NLDS
MLB.com: How much do you want to win the National League Most Valuable Player Award?
Freeman: Right at the moment, that’s not what you are focused on. When it’s all said and done, it would be great. It’s very hard for me to talk about myself. I hate it.
When you get done with your career and take a step back and reflect on what you accomplished, it would be nice, obviously. But the only goal is to win the World Series and that is it. Whatever else happens along the way, it’s all gravy. My first and only goal is to win that World Series.
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MLB.com: You are not the only baseball player in the family. You son, Charlie, who is 3 years old, can hit. What do you think?
Freeman: He’s right-handed. I can’t help him with his right-handed swing, unfortunately. He is doing well. He loves it. That’s all it’s about right now. We’ll get into mechanics and all that when he gets a little bit older. He is on a good track right now.
MLB.com: What was your reaction when his video was seen on TMZ?
Freeman: Yeah, I heard about it. I don’t have that Instagram or anything like that. My wife likes to put videos on there. I heard he was on TMZ. I guess it’s great to see his right-handed swing. It’s all about the kid loving the game right now and having fun. He has a really good swing.
MLB.com: What does it mean to be a father?
Freeman: That’s what it’s all about for me. That’s all that I care about. [In the past], if I went 0-for-4, I would be pretty upset. Now, if I go 0-for-4 and he’s running into my arms, for me, that’s what life is about -- giving back and seeing your kids grow up, become successful. Even though my son is only 3, he just brings joy to me. He is almost to the age where he understands what dad does. So that’s what I’m looking forward to.