History of Freddie Freeman in Timeline

Freddie Freeman is a professional baseball first baseman currently playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He debuted in MLB with the Atlanta Braves in 2010 and played for them for 12 seasons, winning the 2021 World Series. Subsequently, he became a free agent and signed a six-year contract with the Dodgers.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1954: Braves Top Five Rookie

In 1954, Gene Conley was voted third-best rookie, Hank Aaron came in fourth. It was the only other time two Braves finished in the top five.

1954: Compared to Hank Aaron

In 1954, Hank Aaron reached 50 RBIs by July 18. Freddie Freeman was the first Braves rookie to reach 50 RBIs by July 18 since Hank Aaron accomplished this feat.

September 12, 1989: Freddie Freeman's Birth

On September 12, 1989, Frederick Charles Freeman was born. He is a Canadian-American professional baseball first baseman.

1989: Rookie Teammates in Top Two

In 1989, Jerome Walton and Dwight Smith of the Chicago Cubs finished first and second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. Craig Kimbrel and Freddie Freeman were the first teammates to finish first and second since then.

1999: Chipper Jones Wins the Award

Chipper Jones won the award in 1999. Freddie Freeman's offensive performance won him a second Silver Slugger Award and he was named the NL MVP, becoming the first Braves player to win the award since Chipper Jones in 1999.

2005: Andruw Jones Wins the Award

Andruw Jones won the award in 2005. Freddie Freeman was also awarded the 2020 National League Hank Aaron Award, becoming the second player in franchise history to win the award, following Andruw Jones in 2005.

2007: High School Senior Year

In 2007, as a senior at El Modena High School, Freddie Freeman had a .417 batting average and a 6-1 win-loss record as a pitcher. He was named the Orange County Register's 2007 player of the year and signed a letter of intent with California State University, Fullerton.

2007: Drafted by the Atlanta Braves

In 2007, the Atlanta Braves selected Freddie Freeman in the second round, with the 78th overall selection, of the MLB draft. He signed with the team for $409,500, forgoing his college scholarship. He also made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast Braves in 2007.

2008: Plays for the Rome Braves

In 2008, Freddie Freeman played for the Rome Braves of the Class A South Atlantic League.

August 2009: Wrist Injury

In August 2009, Freddie Freeman suffered a wrist injury.

2009: Braves' Fifth-Best Prospect

In 2009, Freddie Freeman was named the Braves' fifth-best prospect according to Baseball America.

September 1, 2010: Called up to the Braves

On September 1, 2010, Freddie Freeman was called up to the Atlanta Braves as part of the team's September call-ups.

September 5, 2010: First MLB Hit

On September 5, 2010, Freddie Freeman got his first career MLB hit off Florida Marlins pitcher Clay Hensley.

September 21, 2010: First MLB Home Run

On September 21, 2010, Freddie Freeman hit his first MLB home run off Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay.

2010: Season with Gwinnett Braves

Freddie Freeman began the 2010 season with the Gwinnett Braves of the Class AAA International League.

2010: MLB Debut with the Atlanta Braves

In 2010, Freddie Freeman made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Atlanta Braves.

2010: Lowest Total Since 2010

In 2017, Freddie Freeman finished the season batting .307 with 28 home runs and 71 RBIs despite only playing in 117 games, his lowest total since 2010.

July 4, 2011: First Multi-Home Run Game

On July 4, 2011, Freddie Freeman hit two home runs against the Colorado Rockies, marking his first multi-home run game.

2011: Successful First Full Season

In 2011, Freddie Freeman batted .282 with 32 doubles, 21 home runs, and 76 RBI in 157 games played.

2011: Fewest Games Played Since 2011

In 2015, Freddie Freeman hit .276 with 18 home runs and 66 RBIs in 118 games, which was his fewest games played since 2011.

2012: 2012 Season Performance

In 2012, Freddie Freeman led the National League with nine sacrifice flies, while batting .259 with 23 home runs and 94 RBIs in 147 games played.

2012: Vision Problems Manifesting

Vision problems for Freddie Freeman began to manifest in 2012.

2013: All-Star Game Final Vote Winner and Season Stats

In 2013, Freddie Freeman won the Major League Baseball All-Star Game Final Vote with a record-setting 19.7 million votes but couldn't play due to injury. He finished the season with a .319 batting average, 23 homers, and 109 RBIs in 147 games, placing fifth in the National League MVP voting.

February 4, 2014: Contract Extension

On February 4, 2014, Freddie Freeman agreed to an eight-year, $135 million contract extension.

June 27, 2014: Homer caught by Broadcaster

On June 27, 2014, during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Freddie Freeman hit a three-run homer off Kyle Kendrick that was caught by broadcaster Tom McCarthy.

2014: Team Transactions and Rebuild

In the 2014-15 off-season, John Coppolella became responsible for the team's transactions and played a large role in the Braves' rebuild, trading away many players.

June 17, 2015: Injury and Disabled List Placement

On June 17, 2015, Freddie Freeman was listed as day-to-day with a right wrist injury. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 23 after missing a game on June 18 against the Boston Red Sox, ending a 234 consecutive game streak.

2015: Continued Transactions and Rebuild

During the 2015-16 off-season, Coppolella repeatedly stated he would not trade Freddie Freeman.

2016: First Career Cycle and Player of the Week

In 2016, Freddie Freeman hit his first career cycle in a 9-8 victory against the Cincinnati Reds on June 15 and was named National League Player of the Week soon after. He also recorded his first 30-home run season in 2016, reaching that mark on September 13, shortly after claiming his second Player of the Week award of the season.

June 2017: Offer to Play Third Base

In June 2017, while rehabilitating a hand injury, Freddie Freeman offered to play third base because his replacement at first base, Matt Adams, was hitting well.

October 2017: LASIK Surgery

In October 2017, Freddie Freeman underwent LASIK surgery to correct vision problems that had manifested since 2012.

2018: All-Star Game and Home Run Derby

In 2018, Freddie Freeman was selected to his third All-Star game as the National League's starting first baseman and accepted an invitation to participate in the Home Run Derby.

2018: Gold Glove Award

In 2018, Freddie Freeman won a Gold Glove Award.

2018: Gold Glove and Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Awards

In 2018, Freddie Freeman won the Gold Glove for first base in the National League and received the 2018 Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award. His teammates also won awards.

2019: Silver Slugger and Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Awards

In 2019, Freddie Freeman batted .295/.389/.549 with 38 home runs and 121 RBIs. He also won the National League Silver Slugger Award and the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award for the second consecutive season.

2019: All-Star Selection

In 2019, Freddie Freeman was selected as the National League starter at first base in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. This was his second consecutive start and fourth All-Star Game selection overall.

2019: Silver Slugger Award

In 2019, Freddie Freeman won the Silver Slugger Award.

July 2020: Positive COVID-19 Test

In July 2020, Freddie Freeman tested positive for COVID-19 and experienced symptoms including a loss of smell and a high fever.

2020: Silver Slugger and MVP Awards

In 2020, Freddie Freeman won the Silver Slugger Award and the National League's Most Valuable Player Award.

2020: Awards and Accomplishments in 2020

In 2020, Freddie Freeman's outstanding offensive performance earned him a second Silver Slugger Award and the NL MVP title. He was also recognized as Baseball Digest MLB Player of the Year, Baseball America Player of the Year, MLBPA Player's Choice Player of the Year, MLBPA Player's Choice NL Outstanding Player, and received the National League Hank Aaron Award.

October 12, 2021: Game-winning home run in NLDS

On October 12, 2021, Freddie Freeman hit a game-winning solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning during game four of the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. The home run broke a 4–4 tie and allowed the Braves to advance to the National League Championship Series.

2021: Silver Slugger Award

In 2021, Freddie Freeman won the Silver Slugger Award.

2021: World Series win and contract with the Dodgers

In 2021, the Atlanta Braves won the World Series. Following this victory, Freddie Freeman entered free agency and subsequently signed a six-year, $162 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

March 18, 2022: Signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers

On March 18, 2022, Freddie Freeman signed a six-year, $162 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, returning to his Southern California home.

April 8, 2022: Dodgers debut

On April 8, 2022, Freddie Freeman made his debut for the Dodgers, batting second in the lineup and going 1–3 with a walk against the Colorado Rockies.

April 18, 2022: Silver Slugger Award Presentation and First Home Run as a Dodger

On April 18, 2022, Freddie Freeman was presented with his 2021 Silver Slugger Award before a game against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium, with Braves manager Brian Snitker and hitting coach Kevin Seitzer attending. In the game, Freeman hit his first home run as a Dodger in his first career at-bat against his former team.

May 18, 2023: 300th career home run

On May 18, 2023, Freddie Freeman hit his 300th career home run, a grand slam off of Génesis Cabrera of the St. Louis Cardinals.

May 20, 2024: Sixth career grand slam

On May 20, 2024, Freddie Freeman hit his sixth career grand slam against pitcher Slade Cecconi of the Arizona Diamondbacks during a game.

2024: World Series MVP

In 2024, Freddie Freeman won the World Series MVP. He also set a record for consecutive World Series games with a home run, including the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history.