1 00:00:00,640 --> 00:00:05,399 Speaker 1: Hello, Dodger Blue Dreamers. Before we begin, a sincere request, 2 00:00:05,800 --> 00:00:09,160 Speaker 1: please take a moment and rate and review Dodger Blue 3 00:00:09,240 --> 00:00:12,320 Speaker 1: dream However you can. I put a lot into creating 4 00:00:12,320 --> 00:00:16,320 Speaker 1: these episodes, and they're available free of charge. In exchange, 5 00:00:16,440 --> 00:00:19,160 Speaker 1: I hope you'll consider pressing your thumb onto the glass 6 00:00:19,160 --> 00:00:21,799 Speaker 1: screen of your phone one time for the good of 7 00:00:21,840 --> 00:00:25,880 Speaker 1: the show. It really does help. Thank you for considering, 8 00:00:26,200 --> 00:00:28,280 Speaker 1: and thank you as always for listening. 9 00:00:33,400 --> 00:00:36,680 Speaker 2: Bitch time for Dodger Base. 10 00:00:44,440 --> 00:00:47,080 Speaker 1: If you've been to a game at Dodger Stadium over 11 00:00:47,120 --> 00:00:50,159 Speaker 1: the past few seasons, you've probably had an experience that 12 00:00:50,280 --> 00:00:51,839 Speaker 1: goes something like this. 13 00:00:54,160 --> 00:00:57,200 Speaker 2: First base face number five ready. 14 00:01:00,400 --> 00:01:04,120 Speaker 1: Isla Cornigo is playing, which means that Freddie Freeman is 15 00:01:04,160 --> 00:01:06,959 Speaker 1: walking up to the plate. Freddie steps into the box, 16 00:01:07,040 --> 00:01:10,160 Speaker 1: maybe first giving the opposing catcher a friendly hat on 17 00:01:10,200 --> 00:01:13,560 Speaker 1: the back, and he settles into that super wide crouch 18 00:01:13,840 --> 00:01:17,640 Speaker 1: of a stance, his face twisted into that unmistakable scowl, 19 00:01:18,040 --> 00:01:21,560 Speaker 1: bat parallel to the ground, hovering just above his back shoulder. 20 00:01:25,840 --> 00:01:29,280 Speaker 1: And then when the pitch comes, Freddie puts that swing 21 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:33,360 Speaker 1: on it, that short, quick, little Freddie swing, almost like 22 00:01:33,400 --> 00:01:35,440 Speaker 1: he's shoveling a little handful of dirt back to the 23 00:01:35,480 --> 00:01:39,600 Speaker 1: pitcher like and when he connects. 24 00:01:40,959 --> 00:01:43,319 Speaker 2: The upsitter field soice into the gap. 25 00:01:44,080 --> 00:01:46,759 Speaker 1: The ball shoots out into the gap in the outfield 26 00:01:53,320 --> 00:02:00,520 Speaker 1: and Freddie's off and before you know it, he standing 27 00:02:00,560 --> 00:02:03,360 Speaker 1: at second base, waving his arms up in the air, 28 00:02:03,560 --> 00:02:07,120 Speaker 1: pumping his hips back and forth, in and out, dancing, 29 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:18,520 Speaker 1: and everybody's on their feet chanting. Welcome to Dodger Blue Dream. 30 00:02:19,120 --> 00:02:32,640 Speaker 1: I'm Richard Parks. Today's episode the Five Faces are Freddy Freeman. Today, 31 00:02:32,680 --> 00:02:36,680 Speaker 1: my friends, it's the day we've all been waiting for. Yes, 32 00:02:37,160 --> 00:02:40,680 Speaker 1: that's right. Today we bring you the third and final 33 00:02:40,720 --> 00:02:44,560 Speaker 1: installment in our mini series on the MV three. The 34 00:02:44,639 --> 00:02:47,480 Speaker 1: three Most Valuable Player Award winner is batting at the 35 00:02:47,520 --> 00:02:48,760 Speaker 1: top of the Dodgers lineup. 36 00:02:49,600 --> 00:02:51,320 Speaker 3: Well Z, how you doing. 37 00:02:51,480 --> 00:02:54,400 Speaker 2: Good to see y'all, it's ready, say hi Joe. 38 00:02:54,200 --> 00:02:57,080 Speaker 1: Hey, Mookie. We've done Mookie Betts. 39 00:02:57,360 --> 00:02:58,519 Speaker 3: It is what it is is. 40 00:02:59,080 --> 00:03:03,320 Speaker 1: We've done showh who talks the most, not me, me, me, 41 00:03:03,480 --> 00:03:06,440 Speaker 1: And now it's time to do Freddie Freeman. 42 00:03:06,760 --> 00:03:09,120 Speaker 4: We reconvene when we start going up to the fleet together. 43 00:03:10,720 --> 00:03:14,960 Speaker 1: But how do you do Freddie Freeman. It's something I've 44 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:17,360 Speaker 1: been thinking about a lot recently as I've been putting 45 00:03:17,360 --> 00:03:20,959 Speaker 1: together this episode, and you know something, I'm not really 46 00:03:21,000 --> 00:03:29,960 Speaker 1: sure how to do him. He's a touch inscrutable. But 47 00:03:30,040 --> 00:03:34,160 Speaker 1: I've been trailing Freddy this entire season, sneaking shots for 48 00:03:34,200 --> 00:03:39,760 Speaker 1: a long distance celebrity portrait, like a podcast paparazzo, and 49 00:03:39,800 --> 00:03:45,320 Speaker 1: I found his face in five fascinating positions one, two, three. 50 00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:45,800 Speaker 4: Four, five. 51 00:03:50,760 --> 00:03:53,520 Speaker 1: So today on the show, we're looking at Freddy's face 52 00:03:53,600 --> 00:03:58,280 Speaker 1: from five different angles, five focal links, and five different 53 00:03:58,280 --> 00:04:01,760 Speaker 1: focus points on the fan favorite freeman who wears the 54 00:04:01,840 --> 00:04:06,559 Speaker 1: number five. Yes, just a few facets about our fabulous 55 00:04:06,560 --> 00:04:10,920 Speaker 1: and fearless Frederico, the famously friendly first baseman. Why five, 56 00:04:11,040 --> 00:04:14,280 Speaker 1: you ask, Well, we felt it would be fatuous and 57 00:04:14,360 --> 00:04:17,320 Speaker 1: facile to focus this fable further, and we are not 58 00:04:17,440 --> 00:04:21,960 Speaker 1: fans of folly. It's kind of a pentagonal podcast portrait 59 00:04:22,360 --> 00:04:34,120 Speaker 1: of fab five Freddy. First up, Steady Freddy. This is 60 00:04:34,160 --> 00:04:36,840 Speaker 1: the image of Freddy that we see day in and 61 00:04:36,920 --> 00:04:40,440 Speaker 1: day out. It's how he is defined in the public eye. 62 00:04:40,600 --> 00:04:46,719 Speaker 1: And as a ballplayer, let's get into it. Freddie Freeman 63 00:04:46,839 --> 00:04:50,520 Speaker 1: is synonymous with consistency, great hitter every year. 64 00:04:50,400 --> 00:04:52,480 Speaker 4: So consistent, you know all I try to do. 65 00:04:52,600 --> 00:04:57,160 Speaker 1: Is Freddie Freeman is mister consistent. 66 00:04:57,880 --> 00:04:59,960 Speaker 4: You know, I don't like change. I usually do this 67 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:02,560 Speaker 4: same thing every single day. 68 00:05:02,640 --> 00:05:05,719 Speaker 1: Freddy plays every day. That's a rare thing for a 69 00:05:05,760 --> 00:05:09,280 Speaker 1: modern ballplayer, and every day he does it the same way. 70 00:05:09,960 --> 00:05:13,159 Speaker 1: He even swings the exact same way every time. He 71 00:05:13,240 --> 00:05:17,000 Speaker 1: swings that scoopy little golf swing with a high finish, 72 00:05:17,160 --> 00:05:20,760 Speaker 1: holding the bat with both hands. I mean, his appearance 73 00:05:20,960 --> 00:05:24,400 Speaker 1: is always exactly the same. Freddie always wears long sleeves 74 00:05:24,440 --> 00:05:26,760 Speaker 1: under his jersey, no matter if it's day or night, 75 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:31,159 Speaker 1: hot or cold. Always that same blonde buzz cut. 76 00:05:31,440 --> 00:05:33,599 Speaker 2: Your haircut, You cut your watch too. 77 00:05:33,640 --> 00:05:35,880 Speaker 1: He even seems to have the same amount of stubble 78 00:05:35,960 --> 00:05:38,120 Speaker 1: on his face day in and day out, which seems 79 00:05:38,160 --> 00:05:41,360 Speaker 1: weird because how is that possible? But I look at 80 00:05:41,360 --> 00:05:44,400 Speaker 1: his face every single day, and every single day it 81 00:05:44,560 --> 00:05:49,719 Speaker 1: just doesn't seem to change. Mister consistent abides. 82 00:05:50,680 --> 00:05:54,240 Speaker 5: Death taxes and the guy behind you, Freddy free. 83 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:55,320 Speaker 4: That's my goal is to be consistent. 84 00:05:56,880 --> 00:05:57,400 Speaker 2: For Freddy. 85 00:05:57,720 --> 00:06:02,920 Speaker 1: Consistent means consistent instantly great, and so we are very 86 00:06:02,960 --> 00:06:10,159 Speaker 1: fortunate to have Steady Freddy on our Dodgers. 87 00:06:10,839 --> 00:06:14,480 Speaker 5: Take Shoheo Tani off the board. This is the best 88 00:06:14,520 --> 00:06:16,760 Speaker 5: player in the game now. 89 00:06:16,800 --> 00:06:19,880 Speaker 1: In his fifteenth season in the big leagues, Freddy is 90 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:23,640 Speaker 1: a career three hundred hitter with no real down seasons 91 00:06:23,680 --> 00:06:26,960 Speaker 1: to speak of. He is the only player in baseball 92 00:06:27,040 --> 00:06:29,520 Speaker 1: with an ops plus of one hundred and thirty or 93 00:06:29,600 --> 00:06:32,720 Speaker 1: more each of the past ten seasons, meaning he's been 94 00:06:32,760 --> 00:06:35,680 Speaker 1: at least thirty percent better than the league average hitter 95 00:06:36,040 --> 00:06:38,880 Speaker 1: every year for more than a decade now. He's also 96 00:06:38,920 --> 00:06:42,080 Speaker 1: finished in the top ten in the MVP voting each 97 00:06:42,200 --> 00:06:45,640 Speaker 1: of the last six seasons. He won. In twenty twenty, 98 00:06:46,320 --> 00:06:50,320 Speaker 1: he just participated in his eighth All Star Game, and 99 00:06:50,400 --> 00:06:54,040 Speaker 1: this year Freddy's doing it again. At the All Star break, 100 00:06:54,200 --> 00:06:57,280 Speaker 1: he's hitting two ninety three with a one fifty three 101 00:06:57,400 --> 00:07:02,120 Speaker 1: ops plus. He is a very solid first baseman, a 102 00:07:02,279 --> 00:07:05,600 Speaker 1: savvy bass runner, and he's known as a great teammate. 103 00:07:06,960 --> 00:07:09,800 Speaker 1: And his career is the stuff of legend. He's already 104 00:07:09,800 --> 00:07:13,320 Speaker 1: passed three hundred home runs, he's already passed two thousand hits, 105 00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:15,480 Speaker 1: and he's well on his way to the Hall of Fame. 106 00:07:16,040 --> 00:07:21,280 Speaker 5: Talk about adding value all facets. He does everything right, 107 00:07:21,840 --> 00:07:25,280 Speaker 5: everything right. Kids at home, if you're paying attention this 108 00:07:25,320 --> 00:07:26,480 Speaker 5: is who you want to be. 109 00:07:27,200 --> 00:07:31,000 Speaker 1: Last year, Freddie broke the Dodgers franchise record of fifty 110 00:07:31,040 --> 00:07:33,840 Speaker 1: three doubles in a single season and finished the year 111 00:07:34,040 --> 00:07:35,320 Speaker 1: with fifty nine. 112 00:07:36,920 --> 00:07:38,920 Speaker 2: Three minutes with the Lapsier fields. 113 00:07:38,960 --> 00:07:43,840 Speaker 6: So he seemed the game bill stood out for Freddy Freeman. 114 00:07:44,880 --> 00:07:48,400 Speaker 1: It seems like whenever I look up, there's Freddy standing 115 00:07:48,480 --> 00:07:51,680 Speaker 1: on second base, shaking his hips and waving his long 116 00:07:51,800 --> 00:07:56,000 Speaker 1: sleeved arms in the air, doing that celebratory dance. He 117 00:07:56,080 --> 00:07:59,120 Speaker 1: always looks the same, he always plays the same, and 118 00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:08,360 Speaker 1: he's always great. That's steady Freddie. But what story can 119 00:08:08,440 --> 00:08:13,160 Speaker 1: you tell about a man who never changes? Keep listening 120 00:08:13,200 --> 00:08:16,440 Speaker 1: to this podcast episode and you'll find out as we 121 00:08:16,600 --> 00:08:19,880 Speaker 1: present more pictures of Freddie that reveal there's a lot 122 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:25,800 Speaker 1: more to this man than just consistency. Image two Freddie 123 00:08:25,880 --> 00:08:33,920 Speaker 1: Feels June twenty twenty two, a pregame press conference before 124 00:08:34,000 --> 00:08:36,520 Speaker 1: the Dodgers faced off against the Braves in Atlanta for 125 00:08:36,640 --> 00:08:39,800 Speaker 1: the first time since Freddy became a Dodger after spending 126 00:08:39,840 --> 00:08:43,199 Speaker 1: the first fifteen years of his professional baseball career in 127 00:08:43,280 --> 00:08:44,439 Speaker 1: the Braves organization. 128 00:08:47,880 --> 00:08:52,480 Speaker 3: Give me a second, of course, we. 129 00:08:52,559 --> 00:08:57,160 Speaker 1: Don't often see baseball players cry, we haven't seen, Mookie 130 00:08:57,200 --> 00:09:01,439 Speaker 1: Betts cry, we haven't seen and show Heo Tani cry. 131 00:09:03,120 --> 00:09:06,480 Speaker 1: And as you've probably heard, there's no crying in baseball. 132 00:09:07,800 --> 00:09:12,640 Speaker 1: So why is baseball's most consistent star face down, hunched over, 133 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:19,280 Speaker 1: weeping into a Power Aid branded hand towel. No, if 134 00:09:19,320 --> 00:09:28,440 Speaker 1: I can get through this, I gotta admit I remember 135 00:09:28,559 --> 00:09:31,400 Speaker 1: feeling like I didn't quite know what to make of 136 00:09:31,520 --> 00:09:35,199 Speaker 1: Freddy's emotions at the time, because when you put on 137 00:09:35,320 --> 00:09:39,160 Speaker 1: the Dodger uniform, it's immediate and it's forever you bleed 138 00:09:39,520 --> 00:09:43,400 Speaker 1: Dodger blue, And it seemed unclear whether Freddy was really 139 00:09:43,600 --> 00:09:46,400 Speaker 1: a Dodger or if he was still pining for the 140 00:09:46,520 --> 00:09:47,920 Speaker 1: girl he had just broken up with. 141 00:09:50,040 --> 00:09:52,200 Speaker 3: I love the Braves Organization with all my heart. 142 00:09:53,200 --> 00:09:55,520 Speaker 1: Freddy had won the World Series with the Braves in 143 00:09:55,600 --> 00:09:57,920 Speaker 1: the fall of twenty twenty one, on a team that 144 00:09:58,000 --> 00:10:00,839 Speaker 1: had beat the Dodgers in the NLCS. But then the 145 00:10:00,920 --> 00:10:03,240 Speaker 1: Braves and Freddy had failed to make a deal that 146 00:10:03,400 --> 00:10:06,520 Speaker 1: off season, and the story was that the Dodgers offered 147 00:10:06,559 --> 00:10:11,040 Speaker 1: Freddy something that his former team couldn't or didn't, namely, 148 00:10:11,600 --> 00:10:14,800 Speaker 1: six years and one hundred and sixty two million dollars 149 00:10:15,080 --> 00:10:19,040 Speaker 1: at the age of thirty two. As Freddy's tears flowed freely, 150 00:10:19,440 --> 00:10:21,480 Speaker 1: it felt like he was maybe more sad that it 151 00:10:21,600 --> 00:10:24,199 Speaker 1: hadn't worked out with the Braves than happy for the 152 00:10:24,280 --> 00:10:27,439 Speaker 1: opportunity to join the Dodgers and move his family back 153 00:10:27,480 --> 00:10:28,880 Speaker 1: to his native California. 154 00:10:29,320 --> 00:10:31,000 Speaker 2: Freddy grew up in Orange. 155 00:10:30,679 --> 00:10:34,079 Speaker 1: County, So again, as I watched this, I was like, 156 00:10:34,520 --> 00:10:37,719 Speaker 1: what gives aren't you supposed to be a Dodger now? 157 00:10:38,240 --> 00:10:40,280 Speaker 1: And in terms of the rest of this, as Don 158 00:10:40,400 --> 00:10:45,559 Speaker 1: Draper would say, that's what the money is for. But 159 00:10:45,720 --> 00:10:48,840 Speaker 1: also I get it. I mean I ugly cry after 160 00:10:48,960 --> 00:10:52,000 Speaker 1: most trips to the grocery store. And Freddy had been 161 00:10:52,080 --> 00:10:54,880 Speaker 1: through something massive during his years in Atlanta. 162 00:10:55,480 --> 00:10:58,240 Speaker 3: That World Series reign is more than a ring. I 163 00:10:58,280 --> 00:11:02,360 Speaker 3: think when you're a kid about is making it to 164 00:11:02,440 --> 00:11:03,000 Speaker 3: the big leagues. 165 00:11:03,720 --> 00:11:06,840 Speaker 1: Freddie had been with the Braves for fifteen years, since 166 00:11:06,880 --> 00:11:08,440 Speaker 1: he was seventeen years old. 167 00:11:08,640 --> 00:11:11,720 Speaker 3: Freddy Frieba joins us down from the Mississippi Braves. Freddie, 168 00:11:11,920 --> 00:11:14,400 Speaker 3: what has it been like for you to play professional baseball? 169 00:11:14,640 --> 00:11:16,360 Speaker 3: It's been a drink cone true. Ever since I was 170 00:11:16,360 --> 00:11:18,280 Speaker 3: a little boy, I've always wanted to do this. And 171 00:11:19,320 --> 00:11:21,480 Speaker 3: then he gets to the big leagues and all you 172 00:11:21,559 --> 00:11:23,360 Speaker 3: want to do is win. 173 00:11:24,200 --> 00:11:27,280 Speaker 1: After becoming a young star in the game, in twenty fourteen, 174 00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:30,480 Speaker 1: Freddie had signed an eight year contract with the Braves 175 00:11:30,840 --> 00:11:33,880 Speaker 1: at a moment when they were embarking on a massive rebuild, 176 00:11:34,400 --> 00:11:38,120 Speaker 1: a five year process that transformed the organization totally from 177 00:11:38,200 --> 00:11:38,960 Speaker 1: top to bottom. 178 00:11:39,559 --> 00:11:42,599 Speaker 3: We went through a lot of up and downs in 179 00:11:42,679 --> 00:11:43,720 Speaker 3: my twelve years. 180 00:11:44,400 --> 00:11:47,320 Speaker 1: During those years, with younger players being brought in behind 181 00:11:47,400 --> 00:11:51,880 Speaker 1: him via player development and international scouting, then unknown talents 182 00:11:51,960 --> 00:11:56,079 Speaker 1: like Dansby Swanson and Ronald Acuna junior. Freddie was the 183 00:11:56,240 --> 00:12:00,439 Speaker 1: face of the franchise in Atlanta, the keystone player as 184 00:12:00,520 --> 00:12:04,360 Speaker 1: the team built itself up brick by brick, and. 185 00:12:04,480 --> 00:12:07,520 Speaker 3: We reached the pinnacle last year of winning it all. 186 00:12:08,400 --> 00:12:11,439 Speaker 1: And then that year's long plan had just finally come 187 00:12:11,480 --> 00:12:14,600 Speaker 1: to fruition in twenty twenty one, when the Braves won 188 00:12:14,679 --> 00:12:19,360 Speaker 1: their first World Series title since nineteen ninety five left 189 00:12:19,440 --> 00:12:29,920 Speaker 1: side Swansons with Freddie catching the last out at first base. 190 00:12:30,160 --> 00:12:34,679 Speaker 6: The Atlanta Braves have officially overcome all obstacles that were 191 00:12:34,720 --> 00:12:35,560 Speaker 6: put in front. 192 00:12:35,320 --> 00:12:40,840 Speaker 1: Of It was storybook and everybody thought that Freddie would 193 00:12:40,880 --> 00:12:44,680 Speaker 1: remain a Brave forever, including Freddie. He had spoken about 194 00:12:44,720 --> 00:12:45,840 Speaker 1: that publicly. 195 00:12:45,800 --> 00:12:48,880 Speaker 3: Me I want to be here forever, so hopefully I 196 00:12:48,920 --> 00:12:50,040 Speaker 3: can be here for the rest of my career. 197 00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:54,240 Speaker 1: What exactly happened between Freddy and the Braves, how things 198 00:12:54,280 --> 00:12:58,000 Speaker 1: fell apart is shrouded in mystery. Freddie ended up firing 199 00:12:58,120 --> 00:13:01,680 Speaker 1: his agency after what went down, and then his main agent, 200 00:13:02,040 --> 00:13:05,880 Speaker 1: Casey Close, sued a reporter for libel. So you understand 201 00:13:05,960 --> 00:13:08,439 Speaker 1: why I'm not getting into this any further. But in 202 00:13:08,520 --> 00:13:12,160 Speaker 1: any case, whatever happened, it didn't work out. But it's 203 00:13:12,200 --> 00:13:14,880 Speaker 1: how Freddie ended up coming to the Dodgers, and that's 204 00:13:14,920 --> 00:13:17,280 Speaker 1: how you end up with Freddie visiting Atlanta for the 205 00:13:17,360 --> 00:13:20,679 Speaker 1: first time as a Dodger, crying in front of television cameras. 206 00:13:21,320 --> 00:13:24,400 Speaker 3: Okay, oh try, thank you, Freddy. 207 00:13:25,240 --> 00:13:27,480 Speaker 1: It's clear that you were overcome with emotions. 208 00:13:28,120 --> 00:13:30,559 Speaker 3: It's a special day for you and your entire family 209 00:13:30,679 --> 00:13:31,280 Speaker 3: being back here. 210 00:13:31,440 --> 00:13:35,280 Speaker 1: But when did Freddy really become a Dodger? A listener 211 00:13:35,360 --> 00:13:37,320 Speaker 1: submitted question helps us ponder. 212 00:13:38,240 --> 00:13:41,319 Speaker 7: Hi, Richard, this is Ben Kramer, and I have a 213 00:13:41,400 --> 00:13:44,960 Speaker 7: question about Freddie Freeman, but really maybe it's a question 214 00:13:45,040 --> 00:13:50,840 Speaker 7: about us. In two when Freddie signed with the Dodgers. 215 00:13:50,880 --> 00:13:53,079 Speaker 7: I'm sure he was excited at the dollars and years, 216 00:13:53,200 --> 00:13:56,880 Speaker 7: but I'm sure his heart was still hurt. Perhaps that 217 00:13:57,120 --> 00:13:59,000 Speaker 7: changed at our home opener. 218 00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:03,200 Speaker 1: Here comes Freddy for Freddy's first game as a Dodger 219 00:14:03,320 --> 00:14:04,760 Speaker 1: in front of a hometown crowd. 220 00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:12,840 Speaker 7: Fred in a Tide game, the bottom of the eighth 221 00:14:12,920 --> 00:14:14,280 Speaker 7: named Freddy had a double. 222 00:14:15,600 --> 00:14:15,680 Speaker 1: Hit. 223 00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:20,360 Speaker 6: The center field slice into the gap, bill stop allad 224 00:14:20,400 --> 00:14:22,040 Speaker 6: off double for Freddie Freeman. 225 00:14:24,400 --> 00:14:27,960 Speaker 7: The real time pitching change allowed Freddy, or rather us 226 00:14:28,400 --> 00:14:31,240 Speaker 7: to relish in the moment as the opening night crowd 227 00:14:31,600 --> 00:14:36,760 Speaker 7: changes pretty pretty pretty for what felt like an eternity 228 00:14:46,320 --> 00:14:49,720 Speaker 7: acknowledging the crowd, Freddie eventually ended up with his helmet 229 00:14:49,760 --> 00:14:52,080 Speaker 7: in his hands and his tiff taking in the moment, 230 00:14:56,200 --> 00:14:59,920 Speaker 7: and then, as now, I wonder, do we fans act, 231 00:15:00,120 --> 00:15:02,440 Speaker 7: we have the power to change the hearts and minds 232 00:15:02,480 --> 00:15:03,480 Speaker 7: of the players we love. 233 00:15:12,080 --> 00:15:14,800 Speaker 1: This moment was just a little over two years ago now, 234 00:15:14,920 --> 00:15:17,640 Speaker 1: but it seems like a lifetime ago because at this 235 00:15:17,840 --> 00:15:21,880 Speaker 1: point Freddy is totally synonymous with the Los Angeles Dodgers. 236 00:15:22,400 --> 00:15:25,960 Speaker 1: But of course Freddy just fits in everywhere he always has. 237 00:15:26,480 --> 00:15:28,960 Speaker 1: He is known around the major leagues as the mayor 238 00:15:29,040 --> 00:15:31,840 Speaker 1: of first base. Even if you're on the other side, 239 00:15:32,040 --> 00:15:34,880 Speaker 1: he wants you to feel welcome, reads an article from 240 00:15:34,880 --> 00:15:37,440 Speaker 1: The New York Times from twenty twenty one. It doesn't 241 00:15:37,480 --> 00:15:39,320 Speaker 1: matter if it's the biggest game in the world. If 242 00:15:39,360 --> 00:15:41,440 Speaker 1: you get a base hit and you come to first base, 243 00:15:41,760 --> 00:15:45,720 Speaker 1: I'm going to tell you, nice job, nice hit, said Freddie. 244 00:15:47,680 --> 00:15:50,440 Speaker 1: So we've told you about mister consistent, and we've met 245 00:15:50,480 --> 00:15:53,360 Speaker 1: the Freddie who feels feelings. And in the third of 246 00:15:53,440 --> 00:15:57,640 Speaker 1: our five snapshots, we're going to get physical. And I'm 247 00:15:57,680 --> 00:16:03,120 Speaker 1: not talking about playing first base. Next up Freddy's moves. 248 00:16:05,960 --> 00:16:08,760 Speaker 1: Anytime one of the Dodgers gets an extra base hit, 249 00:16:09,080 --> 00:16:11,840 Speaker 1: a double or a triple. After they reach base, the 250 00:16:11,880 --> 00:16:15,280 Speaker 1: players take a moment to do a little celebratory dance, 251 00:16:15,640 --> 00:16:18,520 Speaker 1: shaking their hips back and forth and waving their arms 252 00:16:18,600 --> 00:16:20,640 Speaker 1: around in the air. And then the rest of the 253 00:16:20,680 --> 00:16:23,200 Speaker 1: guys in the dugout in the bullpen all follow suit, 254 00:16:23,360 --> 00:16:26,600 Speaker 1: doing their own little dances and response. Well, this little 255 00:16:26,640 --> 00:16:30,080 Speaker 1: boogie down happens to be called the Freddy. It's become 256 00:16:30,160 --> 00:16:33,360 Speaker 1: a symbol of many happy moments for this team, and 257 00:16:33,480 --> 00:16:38,560 Speaker 1: it's named after you guessed it, our boy, Let's break 258 00:16:38,640 --> 00:16:46,680 Speaker 1: it down the Dodgers opening a six game homestand tomorrow. 259 00:16:46,800 --> 00:16:49,120 Speaker 2: But tonight it was a party at chab ezerbe. 260 00:16:49,040 --> 00:16:52,160 Speaker 1: Boys in Blue are back at Dodger Stadium tonight, but 261 00:16:52,360 --> 00:16:56,000 Speaker 1: this time it's not to take the field. Every year, 262 00:16:56,160 --> 00:16:59,960 Speaker 1: the Dodgers host the Blue Diamond Gala to help break 263 00:17:00,160 --> 00:17:03,640 Speaker 1: money for the Dodgers Foundation, the team's main charity, which 264 00:17:03,680 --> 00:17:07,160 Speaker 1: helps fund a variety of programs in LA from education 265 00:17:07,359 --> 00:17:11,240 Speaker 1: to healthcare to homelessness and social justice causes. All the 266 00:17:11,280 --> 00:17:14,359 Speaker 1: players dress up in designer clothing and bring their wives 267 00:17:14,440 --> 00:17:17,879 Speaker 1: in significant others. The couples are interviewed by the media 268 00:17:18,040 --> 00:17:21,119 Speaker 1: on the blue carpet, and then there's dinner, in dancing 269 00:17:21,320 --> 00:17:25,119 Speaker 1: and a special musical guest. Last year, the musical guest 270 00:17:25,480 --> 00:17:26,000 Speaker 1: was Usher. 271 00:17:26,520 --> 00:17:27,920 Speaker 4: So if you need to pick one player from the 272 00:17:27,960 --> 00:17:30,720 Speaker 4: clubhouse yourself included to win a dance battle against Usher, 273 00:17:30,960 --> 00:17:31,800 Speaker 4: who would they go with you? 274 00:17:31,880 --> 00:17:35,760 Speaker 1: Yuki looking great, red suit, broad brimmed hat. 275 00:17:35,680 --> 00:17:37,480 Speaker 2: And a dance battle against Usher? 276 00:17:38,680 --> 00:17:41,119 Speaker 7: I'm going to go with. 277 00:17:43,359 --> 00:17:43,719 Speaker 2: Freddy. 278 00:17:43,920 --> 00:17:44,720 Speaker 4: I'm gonna go Freddy. 279 00:17:44,760 --> 00:17:46,400 Speaker 1: Is there a reason why? Uh? 280 00:17:47,080 --> 00:17:47,240 Speaker 7: Nah? 281 00:17:47,520 --> 00:17:49,160 Speaker 3: That undisclosed information. 282 00:17:50,080 --> 00:17:51,520 Speaker 4: If you need to pick a player in the clubhouse 283 00:17:51,520 --> 00:17:53,200 Speaker 4: to win a dance battle against Usher. 284 00:17:53,200 --> 00:17:53,760 Speaker 5: Who you going with? 285 00:17:53,840 --> 00:17:56,439 Speaker 3: Then you can be yourself a dance battle against Usher. 286 00:17:56,880 --> 00:17:59,880 Speaker 1: Jason Hayward blush pink sports jacket. 287 00:18:00,240 --> 00:18:02,880 Speaker 2: Say Freddy free, We'll give him a run for his money. 288 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:04,920 Speaker 3: Do you enjoy getting dressed up for something like this? 289 00:18:05,480 --> 00:18:07,359 Speaker 4: I think we like getting dressed up. I know my 290 00:18:07,440 --> 00:18:08,720 Speaker 4: wife likes to get dressed up. 291 00:18:09,480 --> 00:18:12,720 Speaker 1: Freddy showed up looking sharp in a blue plaid suit. 292 00:18:12,560 --> 00:18:15,320 Speaker 4: To win a dance battle against ushir Who are you 293 00:18:15,400 --> 00:18:15,639 Speaker 4: going with? 294 00:18:15,760 --> 00:18:16,080 Speaker 2: And why? 295 00:18:16,119 --> 00:18:18,280 Speaker 3: And I'll let you know that you've Jason Heyward, just 296 00:18:18,320 --> 00:18:18,680 Speaker 3: stick to you. 297 00:18:18,920 --> 00:18:21,520 Speaker 4: I know a lot of people that know me are 298 00:18:21,560 --> 00:18:25,080 Speaker 4: probably gonna pick me beyond. I's gonna need a little 299 00:18:25,119 --> 00:18:26,600 Speaker 4: liquid courage to go. 300 00:18:26,680 --> 00:18:38,280 Speaker 1: Against nightfalls wine flows. The next day, a video went 301 00:18:38,440 --> 00:18:43,000 Speaker 1: viral across Dodger Land of Freddy his unusually long arms 302 00:18:43,119 --> 00:18:46,040 Speaker 1: lofted into the air bouncing to the beat of Usher. 303 00:18:47,560 --> 00:18:52,440 Speaker 1: The Dodgers' new celebratory dance had been created. One out 304 00:18:52,480 --> 00:18:53,639 Speaker 1: and runners at the corners. 305 00:18:53,760 --> 00:18:56,160 Speaker 2: Freddy knows his job first and foremost. 306 00:18:56,240 --> 00:18:58,480 Speaker 1: Get the run in and the Dodgers' next game against 307 00:18:58,520 --> 00:19:01,119 Speaker 1: the Rangers, the only question was who would hit the 308 00:19:01,160 --> 00:19:03,639 Speaker 1: first extra base hit and be the first one to 309 00:19:03,760 --> 00:19:06,720 Speaker 1: bust a move at second base on National TV. 310 00:19:08,520 --> 00:19:12,000 Speaker 6: Freeman goes after the first pitch that finds a fairway 311 00:19:12,400 --> 00:19:15,879 Speaker 6: center all the way to the wall. Freddy Freeman times 312 00:19:15,920 --> 00:19:18,159 Speaker 6: the ballgame with a stand up double. 313 00:19:19,440 --> 00:19:20,280 Speaker 1: Freddy he the first. 314 00:19:20,320 --> 00:19:25,040 Speaker 2: All next day, Freddy's there like dancing and moving, he said, And. 315 00:19:25,160 --> 00:19:26,639 Speaker 4: Of course I was the first one to have to 316 00:19:26,680 --> 00:19:29,920 Speaker 4: do it. But we're having fun with the So there's 317 00:19:30,480 --> 00:19:32,280 Speaker 4: my dance from the gala. That's what we're doing on 318 00:19:32,640 --> 00:19:33,439 Speaker 4: extra base hits now. 319 00:19:37,160 --> 00:19:40,119 Speaker 7: It wasn't too long ago Jawan Hendrick stood in the 320 00:19:40,200 --> 00:19:43,560 Speaker 7: booths to create what could be the anthem for this 321 00:19:43,800 --> 00:19:45,360 Speaker 7: Dodger's postseason run. 322 00:19:45,720 --> 00:19:49,240 Speaker 1: Lifelong Dodger fan and rapper Juwan Hendricks even created a 323 00:19:49,359 --> 00:19:52,840 Speaker 1: custom anthem to go along with the dance, now forever 324 00:19:53,040 --> 00:19:58,800 Speaker 1: known as the Freddy one, two three. 325 00:19:59,000 --> 00:19:59,680 Speaker 2: Both Fi. 326 00:20:01,280 --> 00:20:04,440 Speaker 1: And the Dodgers are still doing the Freddie after every 327 00:20:04,560 --> 00:20:11,320 Speaker 1: double and triple to this day. Our fourth image is 328 00:20:11,440 --> 00:20:15,720 Speaker 1: of frustrated Freddie tossing his helmet after a strikeout. It's 329 00:20:15,840 --> 00:20:17,960 Speaker 1: rare Freddie lets his emotions get to him on the 330 00:20:18,040 --> 00:20:20,560 Speaker 1: ball field, but at the beginning of this season it 331 00:20:20,680 --> 00:20:23,960 Speaker 1: seemed like it was happening again and again. Joe Davis 332 00:20:24,040 --> 00:20:27,280 Speaker 1: even started picking up on it during the broadcasts, noting 333 00:20:27,320 --> 00:20:30,800 Speaker 1: that Freddy was quote frustrated, and a series of stories 334 00:20:30,840 --> 00:20:34,119 Speaker 1: from beat writers dug into the idea that although he 335 00:20:34,320 --> 00:20:37,399 Speaker 1: was batting near three hundred, Freddy wasn't happy with his 336 00:20:37,520 --> 00:20:39,920 Speaker 1: performance at the plate. He felt that he was in 337 00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:42,240 Speaker 1: a prolonged slump that had started at the end of 338 00:20:42,359 --> 00:20:44,760 Speaker 1: last season when he struggled to make it to his 339 00:20:44,880 --> 00:20:47,720 Speaker 1: sixtieth double during the final few weeks of the year, 340 00:20:48,080 --> 00:20:52,080 Speaker 1: ultimately never getting there, and along with Mooki, he went 341 00:20:52,320 --> 00:20:57,320 Speaker 1: over during a very disappointing NLDS for the Dodgers. So 342 00:20:57,440 --> 00:21:00,800 Speaker 1: why would Freddy be frustrated? Would it be because he's 343 00:21:00,880 --> 00:21:05,960 Speaker 1: thinking of something inevitable, that is the end of his career. Well, Freddie, 344 00:21:06,000 --> 00:21:08,080 Speaker 1: talk to me about what you've done, right. I just 345 00:21:08,160 --> 00:21:10,840 Speaker 1: feel like your best years are happening right now. Yeah, 346 00:21:11,040 --> 00:21:13,280 Speaker 1: even with the great years you put together in your career. 347 00:21:13,720 --> 00:21:15,280 Speaker 4: When I was younger, I didn't really have to cure 348 00:21:15,359 --> 00:21:16,920 Speaker 4: myself and all that, and you just learn how to 349 00:21:17,000 --> 00:21:19,200 Speaker 4: work out you and how to eat. So maybe I've 350 00:21:19,720 --> 00:21:22,800 Speaker 4: prolonged my prime as much as I could. And that's 351 00:21:23,000 --> 00:21:24,520 Speaker 4: my goal is to play as long as I can. 352 00:21:24,680 --> 00:21:27,920 Speaker 4: So I'm feeling good. I feel great, so hopefully I 353 00:21:27,960 --> 00:21:29,200 Speaker 4: can keep that going for a long time. 354 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:33,240 Speaker 1: Last year we saw Freddie reach three hundred home runs. 355 00:21:33,640 --> 00:21:36,800 Speaker 1: He also got to two thousand hits last season, and 356 00:21:37,160 --> 00:21:40,639 Speaker 1: he put together his first twenty home run twenty stolen 357 00:21:40,720 --> 00:21:45,680 Speaker 1: based season of his entire career. But nothing lasts forever. 358 00:21:46,640 --> 00:21:51,840 Speaker 1: Freddie is thirty five, after all. It's one of the 359 00:21:51,960 --> 00:21:55,000 Speaker 1: key things to think about with this team, the twenty 360 00:21:55,080 --> 00:21:59,560 Speaker 1: twenty four Los Angeles Dodgers. We've got Mooki, Shoh and 361 00:21:59,680 --> 00:22:04,440 Speaker 1: Fred the MV three all in their prime this year. 362 00:22:05,040 --> 00:22:08,520 Speaker 1: So when Freddy is frustrated with his performance, maybe that's 363 00:22:08,560 --> 00:22:11,199 Speaker 1: on his mind. He knows what it takes to win 364 00:22:11,280 --> 00:22:14,080 Speaker 1: a World Series. He did it in Atlanta in twenty 365 00:22:14,200 --> 00:22:21,360 Speaker 1: twenty one. Our last image is of future Freddy. 366 00:22:21,640 --> 00:22:26,080 Speaker 3: Seven time All Star twenty twenty in l MVP, who 367 00:22:26,160 --> 00:22:30,040 Speaker 3: came in a second or third that year. 368 00:22:30,400 --> 00:22:33,919 Speaker 1: When Freddy appeared on Muki's podcast last year, Mooki listed 369 00:22:33,960 --> 00:22:35,879 Speaker 1: off some of his accolades. 370 00:22:35,840 --> 00:22:39,440 Speaker 4: Three times Silver Slugger and the twenty twenty one World 371 00:22:39,520 --> 00:22:40,240 Speaker 4: Series Champion. 372 00:22:40,880 --> 00:22:43,680 Speaker 3: That's the most important, that's the most important. That's the 373 00:22:43,720 --> 00:22:46,280 Speaker 3: reason why we play. We've got another chance this year. 374 00:22:47,040 --> 00:22:50,840 Speaker 1: The World Series win. That's the most important one. And 375 00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:53,639 Speaker 1: that's the thing that Freddy hasn't done with the Dodgers. 376 00:22:54,119 --> 00:22:57,040 Speaker 1: That's the thing we all want to do this year. 377 00:23:00,800 --> 00:23:05,159 Speaker 1: Freddy just returned from Arlington, Texas, where he participated in 378 00:23:05,280 --> 00:23:10,680 Speaker 1: the Midsummer Classic, his eighth All Star Game appearance. When 379 00:23:10,720 --> 00:23:13,640 Speaker 1: his selection was first announced, this was his reaction. 380 00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:17,080 Speaker 2: You never know it's your last one, so every single 381 00:23:17,080 --> 00:23:17,639 Speaker 2: one's special. 382 00:23:17,880 --> 00:23:18,919 Speaker 3: Dam we didn't rise one too. 383 00:23:20,480 --> 00:23:22,560 Speaker 1: You never know when it's going to be your last one. 384 00:23:23,680 --> 00:23:27,520 Speaker 1: Veteran baseball players talk like this a lot. They live 385 00:23:27,720 --> 00:23:30,840 Speaker 1: in the awareness that their careers may end at any moment. 386 00:23:31,800 --> 00:23:36,520 Speaker 1: When will that consistency fall off? When is the change coming? 387 00:23:37,119 --> 00:23:41,359 Speaker 1: When will it end? It's not something we necessarily have 388 00:23:41,560 --> 00:23:49,560 Speaker 1: control over. It is the existential. Freddy's mother died when 389 00:23:49,640 --> 00:23:56,119 Speaker 1: he was ten years old skin cancer melanoma. This is 390 00:23:56,240 --> 00:24:00,520 Speaker 1: why mister consistent wears sleeves during every game, even when 391 00:24:00,560 --> 00:24:03,120 Speaker 1: it's a night game, which the majority of the time 392 00:24:03,280 --> 00:24:06,800 Speaker 1: it is, even when it's blistering hot and the humidity 393 00:24:06,920 --> 00:24:09,719 Speaker 1: is through the roof. This isn't so much in an 394 00:24:09,760 --> 00:24:13,000 Speaker 1: effort to raise awareness about the disease or the tragic 395 00:24:13,119 --> 00:24:16,119 Speaker 1: loss of his mother. But it's more, as Freddie himself 396 00:24:16,200 --> 00:24:19,000 Speaker 1: has said in interviews, to keep the memory of his 397 00:24:19,160 --> 00:24:22,720 Speaker 1: mother with him at all times when he's playing baseball. 398 00:24:23,600 --> 00:24:25,280 Speaker 4: So every time I put on my tight sleeves, it 399 00:24:25,320 --> 00:24:26,119 Speaker 4: makes me think of her. 400 00:24:27,480 --> 00:24:31,960 Speaker 1: It's a talisman, a physical reminder, much like the cross 401 00:24:32,040 --> 00:24:33,560 Speaker 1: he wears around his neck. 402 00:24:33,520 --> 00:24:36,920 Speaker 4: A cross around my neck that then screws and has 403 00:24:37,040 --> 00:24:39,600 Speaker 4: her hair inside of it. When you get to know me, 404 00:24:39,720 --> 00:24:41,320 Speaker 4: pretty much everything I do is for my mom. And 405 00:24:41,560 --> 00:24:43,840 Speaker 4: there's a lot of things that go into each game 406 00:24:44,200 --> 00:24:45,840 Speaker 4: that I do for remembering my mom. 407 00:24:47,680 --> 00:24:48,520 Speaker 3: I guess, sir, so. 408 00:24:50,160 --> 00:24:52,480 Speaker 4: I like to honor her in every aspect of my life. 409 00:24:53,560 --> 00:24:54,959 Speaker 4: I try to do everything I can for her. 410 00:24:55,080 --> 00:25:06,240 Speaker 1: So I put the five photos together one, two, three, four, five. 411 00:25:07,600 --> 00:25:17,600 Speaker 1: What do I see? Freddie is a paradox of all 412 00:25:17,680 --> 00:25:21,439 Speaker 1: of baseball's superstars. He is at once the most unlike 413 00:25:21,560 --> 00:25:25,199 Speaker 1: us and at the same time the most exactly like us. 414 00:25:26,000 --> 00:25:28,520 Speaker 1: His life and career are the stuff of make believe. 415 00:25:29,080 --> 00:25:31,080 Speaker 1: He has it all. I didn't get around in this 416 00:25:31,200 --> 00:25:34,439 Speaker 1: episode to talking about his wife and three children, how 417 00:25:34,480 --> 00:25:36,800 Speaker 1: he plays catch with his son Charlie on the field 418 00:25:36,880 --> 00:25:43,879 Speaker 1: before games. He is superficially classic, statuesque, inscrutable, but at 419 00:25:43,920 --> 00:25:46,600 Speaker 1: the same time, more than any other player, Freddie has 420 00:25:46,680 --> 00:25:50,040 Speaker 1: provided us with the most moments of real that just 421 00:25:50,160 --> 00:25:53,600 Speaker 1: feel authentic to who he is as a person, even 422 00:25:53,640 --> 00:25:56,880 Speaker 1: without meeting him. Just by snapping these little photos from 423 00:25:56,920 --> 00:26:00,199 Speaker 1: Afar and looking at them, I feel I know him him. 424 00:26:01,080 --> 00:26:03,200 Speaker 2: He cries because his heart is broken. 425 00:26:03,440 --> 00:26:06,240 Speaker 1: Give me a second. He dances like nobody is watching. 426 00:26:07,080 --> 00:26:10,320 Speaker 1: He plays hard and with heart, and he gets frustrated 427 00:26:10,680 --> 00:26:13,560 Speaker 1: because he knows that one day soon he won't be 428 00:26:13,640 --> 00:26:16,720 Speaker 1: able to any longer. I heard her, So I hope 429 00:26:16,760 --> 00:26:19,040 Speaker 1: that the Dodgers get to the World Series this year 430 00:26:19,200 --> 00:26:21,760 Speaker 1: with Freddy, and I hope that we win. And if 431 00:26:21,840 --> 00:26:24,560 Speaker 1: we do, it will be because we have played and 432 00:26:24,760 --> 00:26:30,560 Speaker 1: lived as Freddie does. Life is short. Play hard, get 433 00:26:30,600 --> 00:26:34,119 Speaker 1: your uniform dirty, be good to your friends and your family. 434 00:26:35,240 --> 00:26:39,480 Speaker 1: Do that dance you do, Shake it, baby, maybe we'll 435 00:26:39,480 --> 00:26:58,640 Speaker 1: all start dancing along with you. Thanks Freddy Dodger. Blue 436 00:26:58,720 --> 00:27:03,480 Speaker 1: Dream is written and produced by me Richard Parks. Original 437 00:27:03,560 --> 00:27:07,520 Speaker 1: music in this episode by the wildly wonderful William Ryan Fritch. 438 00:27:07,880 --> 00:27:12,360 Speaker 1: The genuinely generous Jonathan Snipes and by the Blasting Company 439 00:27:12,520 --> 00:27:14,800 Speaker 1: and Tiny Star and a little bit by me too. 440 00:27:16,119 --> 00:27:19,919 Speaker 1: Freddy's Walk Up song is by La Conemugo, by Davy 441 00:27:20,200 --> 00:27:25,600 Speaker 1: and Victor Cardinas featuring Kelly Ruiz. We have new artwork 442 00:27:26,240 --> 00:27:29,480 Speaker 1: that beautiful blue and red boogain via watercolor rendering is 443 00:27:29,560 --> 00:27:33,280 Speaker 1: brought to us by none other than Sally Wrider Parks. 444 00:27:34,400 --> 00:27:38,200 Speaker 1: Our story editor is Caitlin Esh. Thank you Ben Kramer 445 00:27:38,280 --> 00:27:41,280 Speaker 1: for the voicemail. Incidentally, you can head to the website 446 00:27:41,320 --> 00:27:45,000 Speaker 1: Aquarium Drunkard to read a lengthy interview with me conducted 447 00:27:45,080 --> 00:27:48,000 Speaker 1: by men where we discuss this show and my process 448 00:27:48,080 --> 00:27:51,240 Speaker 1: making it. Those are unrelated events and you do not 449 00:27:51,359 --> 00:27:53,080 Speaker 1: need to do an interview with me. To leave us 450 00:27:53,080 --> 00:27:56,520 Speaker 1: a voicemail. That number is three two three eight one 451 00:27:56,640 --> 00:28:01,879 Speaker 1: three six six three four. The last request to please 452 00:28:01,960 --> 00:28:05,240 Speaker 1: rate and review Dodger Blue Dream wherever you can and 453 00:28:05,640 --> 00:28:08,520 Speaker 1: share the show with your community in whatever way feels 454 00:28:08,560 --> 00:28:14,280 Speaker 1: good to you. That really does help. Thanks again for listening. 455 00:28:15,520 --> 00:28:16,360 Speaker 1: See you next time.