History of Freddie Freeman in Timeline

Freddie Freeman is a Canadian-American professional baseball first baseman currently playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He debuted in MLB with the Atlanta Braves in 2010 and spent 12 seasons there. Freeman played a crucial role in the Braves' 2021 World Series victory. Following that win, he became a free agent and subsequently signed a six-year, $162 million contract with the Dodgers.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1929: Johnny Frederick's Doubles Record

In 1929, Johnny Frederick set a doubles record with the Brooklyn Robins.

1954: Comparison to Hank Aaron's Rookie Season

In 1954, Hank Aaron was the last Braves rookie to reach 50 RBIs by July 18 until Freddie Freeman matched the feat in 2011.

1954: Braves Top Rookie Finishes

In 1954, when the Braves were located in Milwaukee, Gene Conley was voted third-best rookie of the season and Hank Aaron came in fourth. This was referenced in comparison to Kimbrel and Freeman's top finishes in 2011.

September 12, 1989: Frederick Charles Freeman Born

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

1989: Teammates Finished First and Second in Voting

In 1989, Jerome Walton and Dwight Smith of the Chicago Cubs were teammates that finished first and second in the Rookie of the Year balloting. This feat was repeated by Craig Kimbrel and Freddie Freeman in 2011.

1999: Chipper Jones' NL MVP Award

In 1999, Chipper Jones was the last Braves player to win the NL MVP award before Freddie Freeman won it in 2020.

2004: Dodgers First 200-hit season since Beltré

In 2004, Adrián Beltré became the first Dodger since 2004 to record 200 hits in a season.

2005: Andruw Jones wins Hank Aaron Award

In 2005, Andruw Jones won the Hank Aaron Award. Freddie Freeman would be the second player in the Braves franchise to win the award in 2020.

2005: U15 Baseball World Cup Silver Medal

In 2005, Freddie Freeman played with the United States national under-15 team at the U15 Baseball World Cup in Mexico, where they earned the silver medal.

2007: Drafted by the Atlanta Braves and Professional Debut

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

2007: Senior Year Achievements and College Commitment

In 2007, during his senior year at El Modena High School, Freddie Freeman achieved a .417 batting average and a 6–1 win–loss record as a pitcher. The Orange County Register recognized him as its 2007 player of the year. He also signed a letter of intent with California State University, Fullerton.

2008: Played for 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: Ranked as Braves' Fifth-Best Prospect

Before the 2009 season, 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 and made his MLB debut that same day.

September 5, 2010: First Career MLB Hit

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

September 21, 2010: First MLB Home Run

On September 21, 2010, Freddie Freeman hit his first Major League Baseball (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: Lowest Total Games Played Since 2010

Freddie Freeman played in 117 games in 2017, which was the lowest total games played since 2010.

2010: MLB Debut with the Atlanta Braves

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

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: Fewest Games Played Since 2011

Due to injury, Freddie Freeman's 118 games played in the 2015 season were his fewest since 2011.

2011: Successful First Full Season

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

2012: NL-Leading Sacrifice Flies and Season Stats

In 2012, Freddie Freeman led the National League (NL) with nine sacrifice flies and batted .259 with 33 doubles, 23 home runs, and 94 RBI in 147 games played.

2012: Vision problems

Vision problems began in 2012, and were corrected with LASIK surgery in October 2017.

2013: All-Star Game Final Vote Win and Season Performance

In 2013, Freddie Freeman was selected as a finalist for the 2013 Major League Baseball All-Star Game Final Vote and won with a record-setting total of 19.7 million fan votes. He finished the 2013 season with a .319 batting average, along with 23 home runs and 109 RBI in 147 games played.

February 4, 2014: Eight-Year Contract Extension

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

June 27, 2014: Home Run Caught by Broadcaster Tom McCarthy

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: Chipper Jones ATV Rescue

During a 2014 winter storm, Freddie Freeman was rescued from a traffic jam by former teammate Chipper Jones on an ATV.

2014: Off-Season Transactions

During the 2014-15 off-season, General manager John Coppolella became responsible for the team's transactions and played a large role in the Braves' rebuild.

2014: Marriage to Chelsea Goff

In 2014, Freddie Freeman married Chelsea Goff.

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

On June 17, 2015, Freddie Freeman was listed as day-to-day with an injury to his right wrist, originally sustained on June 13.

2015: Off-Season Stance on Trading Freeman

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

2015: Lowest Batting Average since 2015

In 2024, Freddie Freeman played in 147 games, with 22 home runs, 89 RBI, and a .282 batting average, his lowest since the 2015 season.

January 2016: "Chipper Rescues Freddie" Bobblehead Night Announcement

In January 2016, the Atlanta Braves announced a "Chipper Rescues Freddie" bobblehead night for the following season as a promotional event.

2016: First Career Cycle and Player of the Week Award

In 2016, on June 15, Freddie Freeman hit his first career cycle in a 9–8 victory against the Cincinnati Reds and was named National League Player of the Week soon after that performance.

June 2017: Offer to Play Third Base

While rehabilitating his hand injury in June 2017, Freddie Freeman offered to play third base upon his return due to Matt Adams' strong performance at first base.

October 2017: LASIK Surgery

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

2017: World Baseball Classic Representation Change

In 2017, Freddie Freeman, holding Canadian citizenship through his parents, changed his representation to Canada for the 2017 World Baseball Classic (WBC).

2018: All-Star Game and Home Run Derby Invitation

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 2018 Home Run Derby.

2018: Gold Glove Award

In 2018, Freddie Freeman won a Gold Glove Award.

2018: Gold Glove, Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award

In 2018, Freddie Freeman won the Gold Glove for first base in the National League, the 2018 Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award and finished fourth in the National League Most Valuable Player award voting.

2019: All-Star Game Selection

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

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

In 2019, Freddie 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, Freddie Freeman won the Silver Slugger Award.

July 2020: Tested Positive for COVID-19

In July 2020, Freddie Freeman tested positive for COVID-19, experiencing symptoms such as loss of smell and a high fever, but recovered in time for training camp.

2020: Second Silver Slugger Award and NL MVP

In 2020, Freddie Freeman won a second Silver Slugger Award and was named the NL MVP. He also won 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 the NL Hank Aaron Award.

2020: Silver Slugger Award and National League MVP

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

2021: All-Star Game Selection and Cycle Hit

In 2021, Freddie Freeman was named the National League's starting first baseman for the All-Star Game. On August 18, he hit for the cycle against the Marlins. He finished the 2021 season with a .300 batting average, a .896 OPS, and 31 home runs. On October 12, he hit the game-winning solo home run in the NLDS game four against the Milwaukee Brewers.

2021: Silver Slugger Award Presentation

In 2021, Freddie Freeman was presented with his Silver Slugger Award before a game between the Dodgers and Braves on April 18, 2022. Braves manager Brian Snitker and hitting coach Kevin Seitzer were present for the ceremony.

2021: Silver Slugger Award

In 2021, Freddie Freeman won the Silver Slugger Award.

2021: World Series Win and Dodgers Contract

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

2021: Contract Negotiations and Free Agency

In 2021, Freddie Freeman's contract with the Braves expired, and despite his desire to stay, contract negotiations stalled. The Braves made offers, including a five-year, $125 million offer before the trade deadline. Freeman declined the Braves' qualifying offer and became a free agent. The Braves increased their offer to five years and $140 million but declined Freeman's agent's ultimatum, leading to the Braves acquiring Matt Olson and ending Freeman's tenure.

March 18, 2022: Signing with the 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 and going 1-3 with a walk against the Colorado Rockies.

2022: All-Star Selection and Season Performance

In 2022, Freddie Freeman was named an All-Star on July 17, replacing Starling Marte. He led MLB with 199 hits and 47 doubles, had a .325 batting average, 21 home runs, and 100 RBI.

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.

2023: World Baseball Classic Performance for Canada

In the 2023 WBC, Freddie Freeman again played for Canada. He slashed .200/.273/.200 in 10 at-bats. Canada finished third in Pool C.

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.

2024: World Series MVP

In 2024, Freddie 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.

2024: Son's Diagnosis with Guillain-Barré Syndrome

In 2024, Freddie Freeman's youngest son, Maximus, was diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome.

2025: 350th Career Home Run and All-Star Selection

In 2025, Freddie Freeman hit his 350th career home run off Sandy Alcántara on May 5. On June 28, Freeman recorded his 4,000th career total base on a home run against the Kansas City Royals. Fans selected him to start the All-Star Game, his fifth start.