I’ve gone over the Braves and their improbable season a few times already.
I discussed their inability to get over .500 for the longest time. I hit their consecutive 18 Game stretch interchanging 1 win and 1 loss.
I wrote the eulogy after Ronald Acuna’s injury, and I called the Reverend for their playoff chances.
Now, here they are in the National League Championship Series awaiting to see who’s up next between the Dodgers and Giants as they get set for a Game 5. It’s been a season unlike any other.
You can thank Freddie Freeman for that, and not just because of his go-ahead Homer in the 8th against Milwaukee to give Atlanta a chance at the pennant.
Along with everything else that went wrong, Freddie uncharacteristically struggled for most of the first half. It’s what adds to the story.
Fresh off his MVP Campaign in a shortened 2020, Freddie went hitless in the first series of the season against Philadelphia displaying a sign of things to come.
In fact, through the first 72 games of the season, Freddie only hit .240 and even had to work his way up to that average.
Then in a game against the Mets on June 23rd, he went 4-4, leading to a change of direction in his season, and Atlanta’s too.
He would eventually record the stats you would expect from the 32 year old. He finished batting .300, posting an elite OBP at almost .400, hit 31 homers, and lead the league in runs. While also proving to be clutch hitting a bomb against one of the best closers in baseball, extending their chance at a World Series title.
Freeman is already among the best in Franchise history.
Sure, he’s clearly behind Hank Aaron and Chipper Jones in the batter’s box, and it’s harder to compare when it comes to legends on the mound. I’m certain Greg Maddux holds a higher rank. Probably Tom Glavine and maybe even John Smoltz.
But he’s absolutely competing with guys like Dale Murphy and Andruw Jones.
He’s had 5 All-Star appearances and should have more. In 2016 when he wasn’t listed, he finished top 6 in MVP voting. In 2017 he didn’t play enough games. And in 2020 the event wasn’t held because of the pandemic, but would go on to win Most Valuable Player.
He’s already among the franchise’s top 10 in all the batting statistics, and he’s going to be top 5 in all the counting stats.
That is, assuming the Braves extend him. The Braves already played a dangerous game waiting until his contract year to make that decision.
Even so, you have to imagine the Braves would give him north of 25 million per year. And if they do, that would almost cement Freddie as one of the best Atlanta Braves of all time.
