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The Herald Scotland
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Freddie Freeman expecting emotional All-Star Game in Atlanta return
Freeman has received ovations every time he has returned to Atlanta, even while wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform, but Tuesday night will be like nothing he ever felt before. Freeman's departure was tumultuous, with contract negotiations that broke down and ultimately led him to the Dodgers, but for a couple of days, one of Atlanta's favorite sons is back at home where he spent the first 12 years of his career. Freeman is expected to be showered with adulation the moment he's introduced with the others in the National League starting lineup, with the sellout crowd at Truist Park giving him a standing ovation that could linger for awhile. Freeman is already anticipating the emotions that could leave him a bubbling mess. "I think everyone who knows me," Freeman says, "know I usually get emotional during these kind of things. Coming back here, it's always very special to me. "So, whatever emotions I feel, they usually come out, and I'm not afraid to show my emotions." This is Freeman's ninth All-Star appearance, but this one will mean more than any other, playing in the ballpark that he and his Atlanta teammates helped build. Freeman was even part of the groundbreaking ceremony wearing a hard hat and holding a shovel, with pictures placed in a Truist Park time capsule. "When they announced it was coming here a year or two ago," Freeman said, "I think we kind of circled that I need to play well in 2025 to get here. I'm excited. It's always great coming back here. "When you spend so much time like I did here in Atlanta, it's special." The first time Freeman returned in 2022 after signing a six-year, $162 million contract with the Dodgers, he sat down in the interview room, looked at the familiar faces and TV cameras around him, and broke down. He walked out, composed himself and returned, speaking of his painful departure. "I think every time I come back, I try and portray what Atlanta means to me," Freeman says. "It's so special. I spent a lot of wonderful years here, winning a championship, so to play in front of these fans again, I can't wait to be back.'' It all began to hit him again on Monday when he walked into the National League All-Stars' clubhouse, looked at his old locker, now occupied by Atlanta first baseman Matt Olson, and then saw Snitker. Snitker was Atlanta's third base coach when Freeman broke into the major leagues in 2010. Snitker returned to the minors, was invited to Freeman's wedding, became Atlanta's manager in 2016, and the two remain best of friends. "To see him take over and see all of the success he's had over the last seven, eight years, it's special," Freeman says. "He means so much to me and my family. We still talk in the offseason and throughout the year, but now I get to hang out with him." Perhaps for the last time. Snitker is expected to retire after the season, and Freeman -- who turns 36 in September -- could be following in a few years. "I was so looking forward to being in that same clubhouse with him again," Snitker says. "It was pretty cool to be in that clubhouse and be reunited. He has meant so much to me, and this entire organization. "I mean, when we were going through that rebuild, he was right there, front and center there, leading by example, and never griping about anything or what we were doing. He saw where we were and that the end result was going to be good. He had that huge impact on everybody he played with, and he's still doing it today. "I guarantee you this is going to be emotional, and very special for him." Atlanta lost at least 90 games three consecutive years from 2015-2017, but then won six consecutive division titles, including the 2021 World Series with Freeman leading the way. It wasn't just his performance on the field, but his clubhouse leadership, holding teammates accountable. He stressed the importance of playing every day, playing at least 157 games in eight seasons, including every game three different years. "He set the ultimate example, a Hall of Fame player that led us in all kinds of ways," Atlanta GM Alex Anthopoulos says. "He played the game the right way, played hurt, and was the ultimate teammate. I mean, when he came off the injured list in 2017, and saw that Matt Adams was playing well at first base, he volunteered to play third base. He did it for (16) games, just to make sure that Adams could stay in the lineup. "How can you not root for a guy like that?" Freeman's teammates, including the coaching staff and manager Dave Roberts, will tell you that Freeman has been looking forward to this day since November 2023, when Major League Baseball announced that Atlanta would host the game. It could bring closure to any open wounds that remain from his departure, with the hometown fans cheering him one last time, while on the same team as their favorite Atlanta players. "Obviously, he loved being an Atlanta Brave," Dodgers All-Star catcher Will Smith says. "Fortunately for us, we got to bring him over, but you know how much it means to him every time we come back to Atlanta." Says Roberts: "I know once they announced that [the All-Star game] was going to be held here, it was marked on his calendar. His goal was to get back here and get in front of the Braves' faithful that cheered him on for 11, 12 years, So he's back sleeping in his own bed, back in his old clubhouse, and he's excited.'' Well, so is the entire Freeman family, with about 20 family members expected to be in attendance for the All-Star Game, knowing this will be a moment they will forever cherish. "You never know when you're going to make an All Star game, or whether it will be your last one," Freeman says. "We're going to look around, see all of the wonderful things that I experienced on this field, our whole family experienced, and savor it all." The cheers will come, and the tears will follow. "I know it's going to be emotional,'' Freeman says, "and, well, you know me. I'm not going to hold back.'' Follow Bob Nightengale on X @Bnightengale.
USA Today
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Freddie Freeman expects to be emotional mess at MLB All-Star Game in former home
ATLANTA — Freddie Freeman's eyes started moistening when he walked into the clubhouse Monday, and the tears began flowing the moment he saw Atlanta manager Brian Snitker. It had been nearly four years since Freeman stepped into Atlanta's home locker room. Freeman has received ovations every time he has returned to Atlanta, even while wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform, but Tuesday night will be like nothing he ever felt before. Freeman's departure was tumultuous, with contract negotiations that broke down and ultimately led him to the Dodgers, but for a couple of days, one of Atlanta's favorite sons is back at home where he spent the first 12 years of his career. Freeman is expected to be showered with adulation the moment he's introduced with the others in the National League starting lineup, with the sellout crowd at Truist Park giving him a standing ovation that could linger for awhile. Freeman is already anticipating the emotions that could leave him a bubbling mess. 'I think everyone who knows me," Freeman says, 'know I usually get emotional during these kind of things. Coming back here, it's always very special to me. 'So, whatever emotions I feel, they usually come out, and I'm not afraid to show my emotions." This is Freeman's ninth All-Star appearance, but this one will mean more than any other, playing in the ballpark that he and his Atlanta teammates helped build. Freeman was even part of the groundbreaking ceremony wearing a hard hat and holding a shovel, with pictures placed in a Truist Park time capsule. 'When they announced it was coming here a year or two ago," Freeman said, 'I think we kind of circled that I need to play well in 2025 to get here. I'm excited. It's always great coming back here. 'When you spend so much time like I did here in Atlanta, it's special." The first time Freeman returned in 2022 after signing a six-year, $162 million contract with the Dodgers, he sat down in the interview room, looked at the familiar faces and TV cameras around him, and broke down. He walked out, composed himself and returned, speaking of his painful departure. 'I think every time I come back, I try and portray what Atlanta means to me," Freeman says. 'It's so special. I spent a lot of wonderful years here, winning a championship, so to play in front of these fans again, I can't wait to be back.'' It all began to hit him again on Monday when he walked into the National League All-Stars' clubhouse, looked at his old locker, now occupied by Atlanta first baseman Matt Olson, and then saw Snitker. Snitker was Atlanta's third base coach when Freeman broke into the major leagues in 2010. Snitker returned to the minors, was invited to Freeman's wedding, became Atlanta's manager in 2016, and the two remain best of friends. 'To see him take over and see all of the success he's had over the last seven, eight years, it's special," Freeman says. 'He means so much to me and my family. We still talk in the offseason and throughout the year, but now I get to hang out with him." Perhaps for the last time. Snitker is expected to retire after the season, and Freeman — who turns 36 in September — could be following in a few years. 'I was so looking forward to being in that same clubhouse with him again," Snitker says. 'It was pretty cool to be in that clubhouse and be reunited. He has meant so much to me, and this entire organization. 'I mean, when we were going through that rebuild, he was right there, front and center there, leading by example, and never griping about anything or what we were doing. He saw where we were and that the end result was going to be good. He had that huge impact on everybody he played with, and he's still doing it today. 'I guarantee you this is going to be emotional, and very special for him." Atlanta lost at least 90 games three consecutive years from 2015-2017, but then won six consecutive division titles, including the 2021 World Series with Freeman leading the way. It wasn't just his performance on the field, but his clubhouse leadership, holding teammates accountable. He stressed the importance of playing every day, playing at least 157 games in eight seasons, including every game three different years. 'He set the ultimate example, a Hall of Fame player that led us in all kinds of ways," Atlanta GM Alex Anthopoulos says. 'He played the game the right way, played hurt, and was the ultimate teammate. I mean, when he came off the injured list in 2017, and saw that Matt Adams was playing well at first base, he volunteered to play third base. He did it for (16) games, just to make sure that Adams could stay in the lineup. 'How can you not root for a guy like that?" Freeman's teammates, including the coaching staff and manager Dave Roberts, will tell you that Freeman has been looking forward to this day since November 2023, when Major League Baseball announced that Atlanta would host the game. It could bring closure to any open wounds that remain from his departure, with the hometown fans cheering him one last time, while on the same team as their favorite Atlanta players. 'Obviously, he loved being an Atlanta Brave," Dodgers All-Star catcher Will Smith says. 'Fortunately for us, we got to bring him over, but you know how much it means to him every time we come back to Atlanta." Says Roberts: 'I know once they announced that [the All-Star game] was going to be held here, it was marked on his calendar. His goal was to get back here and get in front of the Braves' faithful that cheered him on for 11, 12 years, So he's back sleeping in his own bed, back in his old clubhouse, and he's excited.'' Well, so is the entire Freeman family, with about 20 family members expected to be in attendance for the All-Star Game, knowing this will be a moment they will forever cherish. 'You never know when you're going to make an All Star game, or whether it will be your last one," Freeman says. 'We're going to look around, see all of the wonderful things that I experienced on this field, our whole family experienced, and savor it all." The cheers will come, and the tears will follow. 'I know it's going to be emotional,'' Freeman says, 'and, well, you know me. I'm not going to hold back.'' Follow Bob Nightengale on X @Bnightengale.
New York Times
09-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Braves prospect Didier Fuentes rocked in 10-1 loss to A's: ‘It's been a rough go'
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The youngest and second-oldest players in the majors pitched for the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night against the Athletics. Didier Fuentes, 20, and Jesse Chavez, 41, had something in common: Neither looked like he belonged on a major-league mound. Fuentes gave up five runs and three home runs in the first inning, and Chavez served up a grand slam to Kurtz in the second inning as the Athletics built a 9-0 lead before making their fifth out. Advertisement They rolled over the Braves 10-1, handing Atlanta its 10th loss in 12 games, and further exposing the urgent state of their injury-riddled starting rotation that includes standouts Grant Holmes, Spencer Strider and 'pray the offense scores a bunch of runs.' 'It just kind of spiraled on him,' Snitker said of Fuentes, who's 0-3 with a 13.85 ERA in four starts, and headed back to the minor leagues. 'It's a lot to process for a young guy, and it's been a rough go for him. He needs to go back and start pitching and getting in an environment that he's accustomed to being in.' The loss also served as another reminder of how disjointed and disappointing most of this lineup has been all season. Without injured co-aces Chris Sale and Spencer Schwellenbach in the rotation, there frankly is no winning formula for this team as currently constructed. Not unless a few regulars — namely, Michael Harris II, Ozzie Albies and Marcell Ozuna — break out of extended slumps, and Austin Riley starts being the productive slugger he was in the past. The Braves' only run came on a fifth-inning, 452-foot homer from Eli White, who was a late lineup addition in right field after Ronald Acuña Jr. was scratched an hour before the game due to lower back tightness. At that point, the Braves were down 10-0. ATL – Eli White Solo HR (4) 📏 Distance: 452 ft💨 EV: 105.8 mph📐 LA: 34°⚾️ 86.9 mph cutter (ATH – LHP Jeffrey Springs)🏟️ Would be out in 30/30 MLB parks ATL (1) @ ATH (10)🔺 5th#BravesCountry — MLB Home Runs🚀 (@MLBHRs_) July 9, 2025 The A's Lawrence Butler hit an inside-the-park home run on the first pitch Fuentes threw. Fuentes' second pitch was a fastball that hit the left wrist of shortstop Jacob Wilson, a starter in next week's All-Star Game. Wilson left the game immediately, but X-rays showed no fracture, just a contusion. Advertisement The next batter, Brent Rooker, hit a two-run homer. And so it went for Fuentes, who has given up 23 hits and six homers in 13 career MLB innings. Counting the minor leagues, he's 0-10 in 13 starts. Fuentes' body language and slumped shoulders were indicative of someone who felt defeated and worn down. 'That's what it does,' Snitker said. 'He's not mature enough to do this yet. He will be with innings and time.' With the Braves trying to fill the rotation with the likes of Fuentes — and whoever replaces him now — and Bryce Elder, it's a hard road ahead. Then there is the issue of who's going to fill the fifth spot, where the Braves used a bullpen game on Saturday after losing Schwellenbach to a fractured elbow earlier in the week. Without a trade addition, they have no better options in the minor leagues. Fuentes has plenty of talent and good stuff, but his location is poor and he's looked entirely overmatched on the big stage — even in a game played in a Triple-A stadium, as this one was at Sutter Health Park. Then again, he only made one start in Triple A and six above High A before he was thrust into what was supposed to be a spot big-league start to give the others extra rest. That was before Sale and Schwellenbach went down. Fuentes has now made four starts, pitching fewer than four innings in each of the past three. He exited Tuesday in the second inning after giving up a single, walk and single to load the bases with none out. Butler, a graduate of Atlanta's Westlake High, hit a third-inning home run off Chavez, who averaged 90 mph with his sinker and 84.4 mph with his changeup, generally not enough differential to pitch effectively in the majors. It was a night of firsts for Butler, who became the first A's player to hit both an inside-the-park homer and a conventional home run in the same game since Billy Williams in 1975, and the first A's player to hit an inside-the-park homer since Mark Kotsay — a onetime Brave and current A's manager — did it in Game 2 of the 2006 Division Series against Texas. Advertisement Facing A's left-hander Jeffrey Springs, the Braves started journeyman Stuart Fairchild in center field in place of Harris, who has been out of the lineup in consecutive games and four of the past nine. Harris had to watch from the bench as his close friend and offseason training partner Butler dominated. Acuña said he felt his back tighten in the stadium before batting practice Tuesday, and he hopes to be back in the lineup Wednesday. 'I felt good coming in today,' he said through an interpreter. 'It was just something I felt doing a movement while going to the gym. The first day of every series is gym day for me. So I was in there and did a movement, and just felt it tighten up on me.' Acuña was voted to start in Tuesday's All-Star Game in Atlanta and is also scheduled to participate in the Home Run Derby on Monday. He said he would wait to see how quickly he recovers before making any decisions about those events. 'I think we should just take it day by day, see how we're feeling,' he said. 'My first priority is to be able to rejoin the (Braves) and help the guys on the field. Everything else, we'll just take day by day.'
NBC Sports
21-06-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Braves place reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale on injured list with fractured rib cage
MIAMI — The Atlanta Braves placed reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale on the 15-day injured list Saturday because of a fractured left rib cage. 'He was doing his exercises (Friday) and felt like something wasn't right,' manager Brian Snitker said before the Braves' game Saturday against the Miami Marlins. 'So they had him looked at and it showed what it showed.' In his previous start, against the New York Mets on Wednesday, Sale sprinted off the mound and made a diving stop of a grounder hit by Juan Soto and threw him out for the first out in the ninth. He then struck out Pete Alonso and was lifted after allowing a single to Brandon Nimmo. 'It's just a freak thing. An unfortunate thing,' Snitker said. 'I saw him after the game that night and he was doing his postgame workout. And then I saw him the next day and I think he maybe felt a little uncomfortable the next day. But then (Friday) is when he wanted to get it checked out.' Sale is 5-4 and has a 2.52 ERA through 15 starts this season. The 36-year-old left-hander threw a season-high 116 pitches and 8 2/3 innings against the Mets. 'It's a tough blow for us and him,' Snitker said. 'It was going so good. That's a rough one.' After six seasons with the Boston Red Sox, Sale was traded to the Braves in December 2023. Sale won the pitching Triple Crown in his first season in Atlanta, finishing with an NL high in wins (18) and strikeouts (225) and a league-low ERA of 2.38. Snitker doesn't have a timeline when his star pitcher will return. 'With bones like that, they've got to heal before you can start the process, but I have no idea how long it will be,' he said. The Braves began Saturday at 34-40 and 11 games behind NL East-leading Philadelphia. They had won six of seven, including a three-game series sweep against the Mets, before losing the series opener at Miami on Friday. In the corresponding move retroactive to Thursday, the Braves recalled left-handed pitcher Austin Cox from Triple-A Gwinnett.
Chicago Tribune
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Atlanta Braves place reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale on injured list with fractured rib cage
MIAMI — The Atlanta Braves placed reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale on the 15-day injured list Saturday because of a fractured left rib cage. 'He was doing his exercises (Friday) and felt like something wasn't right,' manager Brian Snitker said before the Braves' game Saturday against the Miami Marlins. 'So they had him looked at and it showed what it showed.' In his previous start, against the New York Mets on Wednesday, Sale sprinted off the mound and made a diving stop of a Juan Soto grounder and threw him out for the first out in the ninth. He then struck out Pete Alonso and was lifted after allowing a single to Brandon Nimmo. 'It's just a freak thing. An unfortunate thing,' Snitker said. 'I saw him after the game that night and he was doing his postgame workout. And then I saw him the next day and I think he maybe felt a little uncomfortable the next day. But then (Friday) is when he wanted to get it checked out.' Sale is 5-4 and has a 2.52 ERA through 15 starts. The 36-year-old left-hander threw a season-high 116 pitches and 8 2/3 innings against the Mets. 'It's a tough blow for us and him,' Snitker said. 'It was going so good. That's a rough one.' After six seasons with the Boston Red Sox, Sale was traded to the Braves in December 2023. Sale won the pitching Triple Crown in his first season in Atlanta, finishing with an NL high in wins (18) and strikeouts (225) and a league-low ERA of 2.38. Snitker doesn't have a timeline when his star pitcher will return. 'With bones like that, they've got to heal before you can start the process, but I have no idea how long it will be,' he said. The Braves began Saturday at 34-40 and 11 games behind the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies. They had won six of seven, including a three-game series sweep against the Mets, before losing the series opener in Miami on Friday.
