History of Freddie Freeman in Timeline

Freddie Freeman is a professional baseball first baseman currently playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He began his MLB career in 2010 with the Atlanta Braves, where he played for 12 seasons and won the 2021 World Series. Following the World Series victory, Freeman became a free agent and signed a six-year, $162 million contract with the Dodgers.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1954: Two Braves Finished in Top Five Since 1954

Kimbrel and Freeman were the first teammates to finish first and second in the NL Rookie of the Year balloting since Gene Conley was voted third-best rookie of the 1954 season and Hank Aaron came in fourth.

September 12, 1989: Frederick Charles Freeman's Birth

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

1989: Teammates Finished First and Second Since 1989

Kimbrel and Freeman were the first teammates to finish first and second in the NL Rookie of the Year balloting since 1989, when the Chicago Cubs' Jerome Walton and Dwight Smith came in first and second.

1999: First Braves Player to Win Award Since 1999

Freeman was named the NL MVP, becoming the first Braves player to win the award since Chipper Jones in 1999.

2005: Second Player to Win Award After Andruw Jones in 2005

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

2007: Senior Year at El Modena High School and Player of the Year

In 2007, during his senior year at El Modena High School, 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. He also signed a letter of intent with California State University, Fullerton.

2007: Drafted by Atlanta Braves and Professional Debut

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

2008: Plays for Rome Braves

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

August 2009: Wrist Injury

In August 2009, Freeman suffered a wrist injury.

2009: Ranked as Braves' Fifth-Best Prospect

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

September 1, 2010: Called Up to the Braves and MLB Debut

On September 1, 2010, Freeman was called up to the Braves as part of the team's September call-ups and made his MLB debut that same day.

September 5, 2010: First Career MLB Hit

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

September 21, 2010: First MLB Home Run

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

2010: Begins Season with Gwinnett Braves

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

2010: MLB Debut with the Atlanta Braves

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

July 4, 2011: First Multi-Home Run Game

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

2011: Finished the 2011 Season

Freeman finished the 2011 year batting .282 with 32 doubles, 21 home runs, and 76 RBI in 157 games played.

2012: 2012 Season Stats

In 2012, Freeman had an NL-leading nine sacrifice flies along with batting .259 with 33 doubles, 23 home runs, and 94 RBI in 147 games played.

2013: All-Star Game Final Vote and Season Stats

In 2013, Freeman was selected as a finalist for the 2013 Major League Baseball All-Star Game Final Vote, where he won. He finished the 2013 season with a .319 batting average, along with 23 homers and 109 RBI in 147 games played. He finished fifth on the National League Most Valuable Player award voting.

February 4, 2014: Signed Eight-Year Extension

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

June 27, 2014: Home Run Caught by Tom McCarthy

During a game against the Philadelphia Phillies on June 27, 2014, Freeman hit a three-run homer off Kyle Kendrick caught by broadcaster Tom McCarthy.

June 17, 2015: Listed as Day-to-Day with Wrist Injury

On June 17, 2015, Freeman was listed as day-to-day with an injury to his right wrist. The injury was originally sustained during a June 13 game against the New York Mets.

January 2016: "Chipper Rescues Freddie" bobblehead night announced

In January 2016, the Atlanta Braves announced a "Chipper Rescues Freddie" bobblehead night for the following season. This promotional event was created to promote the franchise.

2016: 2016 Season Achievements

In 2016, Freeman hit his first career cycle on June 15. He recorded his first 30-home run season in 2016. Freeman's 30-game hitting streak was halted on September 29. Overall in 2016, Freeman played 158 games with a .302 batting average, 43 doubles, 34 home runs, and 91 RBI.

June 2017: Offered to Play Third Base

In June 2017, while rehabilitating his hand injury, Freeman offered to play third base upon his return.

October 2017: Underwent LASIK Surgery

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

2018: Selected to All-Star Game and Home Run Derby

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

2018: Gold Glove Award

In 2018, Freeman won a Gold Glove Award.

2018: Won Gold Glove and Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award

In 2018, Freeman won the Gold Glove for first base in the National League and the 2018 Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award.

2019: Selected as National League All-Star Starter

In 2019, Freeman was selected as the National League starter at first base in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

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

In 2019, Freeman won the National League Silver Slugger Award for first base and the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award for the second consecutive season.

2019: Silver Slugger Award

In 2019, Freeman won the Silver Slugger Award.

July 2020: Tested Positive for COVID-19

In July 2020, Freeman tested positive for COVID-19 before the season began.

2020: Named NL MVP and Other Awards

In 2020, Freeman was named the NL MVP, Baseball Digest MLB Player of the Year, Baseball America Player of the Year, MLBPA Player's Choice Player of the Year, and MLBPA Player's Choice NL Outstanding Player. Additionally, he was awarded the 2020 National League Hank Aaron Award.

2020: National League MVP and Silver Slugger Award

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

October 12, 2021: Game-winning home run in NLDS Game 4

On October 12, 2021, Freeman hit a game-winning solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning in a tied National League Division Series (NLDS) game four against the Milwaukee Brewers, helping the Braves advance to the National League Championship Series for the second consecutive year.

2021: Silver Slugger Award

In 2021, Freeman won the Silver Slugger Award.

2021: Braves Win the World Series and Freeman Signs with Dodgers

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

April 8, 2022: Dodgers Debut

On April 8, 2022, 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: Presented with 2021 Silver Slugger Award and First Home Run as a Dodger

On April 18, 2022, before a game between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium, Freeman was presented his 2021 Silver Slugger Award. In the game that followed, 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, Freeman hit his 300th career home run, a grand slam off of Génesis Cabrera of the St. Louis Cardinals.

May 20, 2024: Hits sixth career grand slam

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

2024: World Series MVP

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

May 5, 2025: 350th Career Home Run

On May 5, 2025, Freeman hit his 350th career home run off pitcher Sandy Alcántara in the top of the third inning.

May 6, 2025: 42nd Career Home Run Against the Marlins

On May 6, 2025, Freeman hit his 42nd career home run against the Miami Marlins, making him the player with the most home runs against the Marlins in history.