1 00:00:04,760 --> 00:00:10,039 Speaker 1: Hello, Dodger Blue Dreamers. It is Friday, January thirtieth, twenty 2 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:14,760 Speaker 1: twenty six. My name is Richard Parks. I am your 3 00:00:14,840 --> 00:00:21,040 Speaker 1: humble host, creator, figurehead of this here podcast, Dodger Blue Dream. 4 00:00:21,480 --> 00:00:21,840 Speaker 2: Check it. 5 00:00:22,480 --> 00:00:27,560 Speaker 1: We are creeping towards springtime. I just saw a wild 6 00:00:27,880 --> 00:00:31,920 Speaker 1: hyacinth blossom in Griffith Park. Soon it will be spring 7 00:00:31,960 --> 00:00:36,840 Speaker 1: training and after that the reg season. I can't wait. 8 00:00:37,200 --> 00:00:39,880 Speaker 1: In the meantime, I hope you're enjoying what you're doing 9 00:00:40,479 --> 00:00:43,040 Speaker 1: in spite of everything going on in the world. But 10 00:00:43,120 --> 00:00:46,280 Speaker 1: let's not talk about that. Let's talk about getting back 11 00:00:46,320 --> 00:00:48,880 Speaker 1: to the ballpark or what we're going to do in 12 00:00:48,920 --> 00:00:52,879 Speaker 1: the meantime before we do, and I was thinking together 13 00:00:53,560 --> 00:00:58,080 Speaker 1: we could spend the next few weeks revisiting some of 14 00:00:58,240 --> 00:01:02,680 Speaker 1: our Dodger Blue Dream classics, a few of our favorite 15 00:01:02,680 --> 00:01:05,680 Speaker 1: episodes from the back catalog, which, as you surely know 16 00:01:05,720 --> 00:01:09,440 Speaker 1: by now if you've listened to this show, are evergreen. 17 00:01:09,959 --> 00:01:14,560 Speaker 1: I design aka intended to be listened to anytime, not 18 00:01:14,680 --> 00:01:17,400 Speaker 1: just when they're released. Of course, some of the episodes 19 00:01:17,480 --> 00:01:21,440 Speaker 1: end up being more timely with the drama of the 20 00:01:22,080 --> 00:01:26,840 Speaker 1: later regular season and postseason particularly, but yeah, let's spend 21 00:01:26,840 --> 00:01:28,920 Speaker 1: these next few weeks on some of the ones that 22 00:01:28,959 --> 00:01:34,919 Speaker 1: are more portrait e in nature. Maybe so for today's well, 23 00:01:35,040 --> 00:01:37,480 Speaker 1: let me tell you. When I was first releasing episodes 24 00:01:37,520 --> 00:01:41,480 Speaker 1: of this show, OG DBD listeners will remember, we ran 25 00:01:42,000 --> 00:01:45,960 Speaker 1: a series of portraits on the MV three the three 26 00:01:46,080 --> 00:01:49,400 Speaker 1: Most Valuable Player Award winners batting at the top of 27 00:01:49,440 --> 00:01:52,600 Speaker 1: the Dodgers lineup. Show he had just joined the team, 28 00:01:52,800 --> 00:01:55,840 Speaker 1: and we had Mookie Betts and then of course Freddie. 29 00:01:55,840 --> 00:01:59,840 Speaker 1: Freeman and Freddie will be the focus of today's DBD 30 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:04,480 Speaker 1: Classic rebroadcast. Freddie has had so many great moments as 31 00:02:04,480 --> 00:02:07,200 Speaker 1: a Dodger since this episode came out. It is wild 32 00:02:07,280 --> 00:02:09,920 Speaker 1: to think about. You've got the walk off home run 33 00:02:09,960 --> 00:02:12,400 Speaker 1: for Game one of the twenty twenty four World Series, 34 00:02:12,440 --> 00:02:14,760 Speaker 1: which I saw in person and was one of the 35 00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:17,120 Speaker 1: most ecstatic communal events I've ever been a part of. 36 00:02:17,440 --> 00:02:20,200 Speaker 1: There's the walkoff homer in Game three of the twenty 37 00:02:20,240 --> 00:02:23,639 Speaker 1: twenty five World Series, the eighteen inning game. Deja vu 38 00:02:23,760 --> 00:02:26,600 Speaker 1: all over again. And with Freddy, it seems like he's 39 00:02:26,639 --> 00:02:30,680 Speaker 1: always doing something great. Countless heroics on the baseball field 40 00:02:30,680 --> 00:02:33,680 Speaker 1: and in the batter's box in particular throughout these past 41 00:02:33,680 --> 00:02:38,760 Speaker 1: couple seasons. He's thirty six. Now we call that baseball old, 42 00:02:39,160 --> 00:02:41,959 Speaker 1: but it doesn't seem like Freddy is slowing down, and 43 00:02:42,280 --> 00:02:47,880 Speaker 1: amazingly is aging like fine wine, which we've heard is 44 00:02:47,919 --> 00:02:50,880 Speaker 1: an interest of Freddie's. He's known as the guy who 45 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:54,919 Speaker 1: orders the fancy bottle of wine at team dinners, which 46 00:02:54,960 --> 00:02:57,120 Speaker 1: I didn't know back when I made this episode, but 47 00:02:58,120 --> 00:03:01,440 Speaker 1: I knew what I knew, and I decided to focus 48 00:03:01,600 --> 00:03:06,040 Speaker 1: on five things about this man. So here it is 49 00:03:06,120 --> 00:03:11,240 Speaker 1: coming down the chute, a rebroadcast of our DBD classic, 50 00:03:11,680 --> 00:03:16,320 Speaker 1: a little something we call the Five Faces of Freddie 51 00:03:16,360 --> 00:03:44,240 Speaker 1: Freeman that's coming up after the break. Stay tuned, bitch 52 00:03:44,520 --> 00:03:56,160 Speaker 1: time for Dodger base. If you've been to a game 53 00:03:56,240 --> 00:03:59,680 Speaker 1: at Dodger Stadium over the past few seasons, you've probably 54 00:03:59,680 --> 00:04:02,320 Speaker 1: had an experience that goes something like this. 55 00:04:04,640 --> 00:04:06,240 Speaker 3: First, base face number five. 56 00:04:11,120 --> 00:04:14,600 Speaker 1: L Cornigo is playing, which means that Freddy Freeman is 57 00:04:14,640 --> 00:04:17,480 Speaker 1: walking up to the plate. Freddy steps into the box, 58 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:20,640 Speaker 1: maybe first, giving the opposing catcher a friendly hat on 59 00:04:20,680 --> 00:04:24,040 Speaker 1: the back, and he settles into that super wide crouch 60 00:04:24,320 --> 00:04:28,160 Speaker 1: of a stance, his face twisted into that unmistakable scowl. 61 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:32,080 Speaker 1: Bat parallel to the ground, hovering just above his back shoulder. 62 00:04:36,320 --> 00:04:39,760 Speaker 1: And then when the pitch comes, Freddie puts that swing 63 00:04:39,839 --> 00:04:43,840 Speaker 1: on it, that short, quick, little Freddie swing, almost like 64 00:04:43,880 --> 00:04:45,960 Speaker 1: he's shoveling a little handful of dirt back to the 65 00:04:45,960 --> 00:04:50,159 Speaker 1: pitcher like. And when he connects. 66 00:04:51,760 --> 00:04:54,000 Speaker 3: Sitter field sooice into the gap. 67 00:04:54,560 --> 00:04:57,280 Speaker 1: The ball shoots out into the gap in the outfield 68 00:05:03,839 --> 00:05:11,000 Speaker 1: and Freddie's off And before you know it, he's standing 69 00:05:11,080 --> 00:05:13,840 Speaker 1: at second base, waving his arms up in the air, 70 00:05:14,040 --> 00:05:17,560 Speaker 1: pumping his hips back and forth, in and out, dancing, 71 00:05:17,920 --> 00:05:29,040 Speaker 1: and everybody's on their feet chanting. Welcome to Dodger Blue Dream. 72 00:05:29,600 --> 00:05:43,120 Speaker 1: I'm Richard Parks. Today's episode the Five Faces of Freddie Freeman. Today, 73 00:05:43,160 --> 00:05:47,200 Speaker 1: my friends, it's the day we've all been waiting for. Yes, 74 00:05:47,640 --> 00:05:51,160 Speaker 1: that's right. Today we bring you the third and final 75 00:05:51,240 --> 00:05:55,080 Speaker 1: installment in our mini series on the MV three. The 76 00:05:55,160 --> 00:05:58,000 Speaker 1: three Most Valuable Player Award winner is batting at the 77 00:05:58,000 --> 00:05:59,280 Speaker 1: top of the Dodgers lineup. 78 00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:02,680 Speaker 4: Well's sound, gentle, how you doing good to see y'all? 79 00:06:02,720 --> 00:06:04,720 Speaker 4: It's Reddy say hi, jo. 80 00:06:04,720 --> 00:06:08,480 Speaker 1: Hey, Mookie, we've done, Mookie bets it is what it 81 00:06:08,520 --> 00:06:12,080 Speaker 1: is We've done. Show Hey o Tani who talks the most, 82 00:06:12,520 --> 00:06:15,680 Speaker 1: not me, me, me, And now it's time to do 83 00:06:16,160 --> 00:06:16,920 Speaker 1: Freddie Freeman. 84 00:06:17,240 --> 00:06:19,599 Speaker 5: We reconvene when we start going up to the fleet together. 85 00:06:21,200 --> 00:06:25,480 Speaker 1: But how do you do Freddie Freeman? It's something I've 86 00:06:25,480 --> 00:06:27,880 Speaker 1: been thinking about a lot recently as i've been putting 87 00:06:27,880 --> 00:06:31,480 Speaker 1: together this episode, And you know something, I'm not really 88 00:06:31,480 --> 00:06:40,479 Speaker 1: sure how to do him. He's a touch inscrutable. But 89 00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:44,640 Speaker 1: I've been trailing Freddy this entire season, sneaking shots for 90 00:06:44,720 --> 00:06:50,240 Speaker 1: a long distance celebrity portrait, like a podcast paparazzo, and 91 00:06:50,279 --> 00:06:56,240 Speaker 1: I found his face in five fascinating positions one, two, three, four, five. 92 00:07:01,240 --> 00:07:04,000 Speaker 1: So today on the show, we're looking at Freddy's face 93 00:07:04,080 --> 00:07:08,760 Speaker 1: from five different angles, five focal links, and five different 94 00:07:08,800 --> 00:07:12,240 Speaker 1: focus points on the fan favorite freeman who wears the 95 00:07:12,360 --> 00:07:16,360 Speaker 1: number five. A. Yes, just a few facets about our 96 00:07:16,440 --> 00:07:21,440 Speaker 1: fabulous and fearless Frederico, the famously friendly first Baseman. Why five, 97 00:07:21,520 --> 00:07:24,760 Speaker 1: you ask, Well, we felt it would be fatuous and 98 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:27,840 Speaker 1: facile to focus this fable further, and we are not 99 00:07:27,920 --> 00:07:32,480 Speaker 1: fans of folly. It's kind of a pentagonal podcast portrait 100 00:07:32,840 --> 00:07:44,600 Speaker 1: of fab five Freddy. First up, Steady Freddy. This is 101 00:07:44,640 --> 00:07:47,280 Speaker 1: the image of Freddy that we see day in and 102 00:07:47,440 --> 00:07:50,560 Speaker 1: day out. It's how he is defined in the public 103 00:07:50,640 --> 00:07:56,760 Speaker 1: eye and as a ballplayer. Let's get into it. Freddy 104 00:07:56,800 --> 00:07:59,119 Speaker 1: Freeman is synonymous with consistency. 105 00:07:59,440 --> 00:08:01,000 Speaker 3: Great hit every year. 106 00:08:00,920 --> 00:08:03,160 Speaker 4: So consistent. You know, all I try to do is 107 00:08:03,200 --> 00:08:03,800 Speaker 4: be consistent. 108 00:08:04,680 --> 00:08:07,640 Speaker 1: Freddie Freeman is mister consistent. 109 00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:09,840 Speaker 4: You know, I don't like change. 110 00:08:09,880 --> 00:08:12,720 Speaker 5: I usually do the same thing every single day. 111 00:08:13,120 --> 00:08:16,240 Speaker 1: Freddie plays every day. That's a rare thing for a 112 00:08:16,240 --> 00:08:20,400 Speaker 1: modern ballplayer, and every day he does it the same way. 113 00:08:20,480 --> 00:08:23,640 Speaker 1: He even swings the exact same way every time. He 114 00:08:23,760 --> 00:08:27,480 Speaker 1: swings that scoopy little golf swing with a high finish, 115 00:08:27,680 --> 00:08:31,240 Speaker 1: holding the bat with both hands. I mean, his appearance 116 00:08:31,480 --> 00:08:34,880 Speaker 1: is always exactly the same. Freddie always wears long sleeves 117 00:08:34,920 --> 00:08:37,280 Speaker 1: under his jersey, no matter if it's day or night, 118 00:08:37,480 --> 00:08:41,640 Speaker 1: hot or cold. Always that same blonde buzz cut. 119 00:08:41,559 --> 00:08:44,040 Speaker 3: The haircut. You can cut your watch too. 120 00:08:44,120 --> 00:08:46,400 Speaker 1: He even seems to have the same amount of stubble 121 00:08:46,440 --> 00:08:48,640 Speaker 1: on his face day in and day out, which seems 122 00:08:48,640 --> 00:08:51,840 Speaker 1: weird because how is that possible? But I look at 123 00:08:51,840 --> 00:08:54,920 Speaker 1: his face every single day, and every single day it 124 00:08:55,040 --> 00:09:00,200 Speaker 1: just doesn't seem to change. Mister consistent abodes. 125 00:09:01,160 --> 00:09:04,320 Speaker 6: Death taxes and the guy behind you, Freddy Free. 126 00:09:04,440 --> 00:09:05,840 Speaker 4: That's my goal is to be consistent. 127 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:12,880 Speaker 1: For Freddy, consistent means consistently great, and so we are 128 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:20,760 Speaker 1: very fortunate to have Steady Freddy on our Dodgers. 129 00:09:21,320 --> 00:09:25,000 Speaker 6: Take Shoheo Tani off the board. This is the best 130 00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:27,280 Speaker 6: player in the game now. 131 00:09:27,280 --> 00:09:30,360 Speaker 1: In his fifteenth season in the big leagues, Freddy is 132 00:09:30,400 --> 00:09:34,160 Speaker 1: a career three hundred hitter with no real down seasons 133 00:09:34,160 --> 00:09:37,480 Speaker 1: to speak of. He is the only player in baseball 134 00:09:37,520 --> 00:09:40,040 Speaker 1: with an ops plus of one hundred and thirty or 135 00:09:40,080 --> 00:09:43,200 Speaker 1: more each of the past ten seasons, meaning he's been 136 00:09:43,240 --> 00:09:46,199 Speaker 1: at least thirty percent better than the league average hitter 137 00:09:46,520 --> 00:09:49,360 Speaker 1: every year for more than a decade now. He's also 138 00:09:49,440 --> 00:09:52,600 Speaker 1: finished in the top ten in the MVP voting each 139 00:09:52,679 --> 00:09:56,120 Speaker 1: of the last six seasons he won. In twenty twenty, 140 00:09:56,840 --> 00:10:00,800 Speaker 1: he just participated in his eighth All Star Game, and 141 00:10:00,920 --> 00:10:04,520 Speaker 1: this year Freddy's doing it again. At the All Star break, 142 00:10:04,679 --> 00:10:07,760 Speaker 1: he's hitting two ninety three with a one fifty three 143 00:10:07,880 --> 00:10:12,640 Speaker 1: ops plus. He is a very solid first baseman, a 144 00:10:12,800 --> 00:10:16,080 Speaker 1: savvy base runner, and he's known as a great teammate 145 00:10:17,440 --> 00:10:20,280 Speaker 1: and his career is the stuff of legend. He's already 146 00:10:20,280 --> 00:10:23,800 Speaker 1: passed three hundred home runs, he's already passed two thousand hits, 147 00:10:24,120 --> 00:10:26,000 Speaker 1: and he's well on his way to the Hall of Fame. 148 00:10:26,520 --> 00:10:31,800 Speaker 6: Talk about adding value all facets. He does everything right, 149 00:10:32,360 --> 00:10:35,760 Speaker 6: everything right. Kids at home, if you're paying attention, this 150 00:10:35,840 --> 00:10:36,960 Speaker 6: is who you want to be. 151 00:10:37,720 --> 00:10:41,480 Speaker 1: Last year, Freddie broke the Dodgers franchise record of fifty 152 00:10:41,520 --> 00:10:44,320 Speaker 1: three doubles in a single season and finished the year 153 00:10:44,559 --> 00:10:45,880 Speaker 1: with fifty nine. 154 00:10:47,440 --> 00:10:49,320 Speaker 3: Three minus exsier food. 155 00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:53,560 Speaker 7: So he seemed again bill stop old off double for 156 00:10:53,559 --> 00:10:54,480 Speaker 7: forty four minute. 157 00:10:55,360 --> 00:10:58,960 Speaker 1: It seems like whenever I look up, there's Freddy standing 158 00:10:58,960 --> 00:11:02,240 Speaker 1: on second base, shaking his hips and waving his long 159 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:06,520 Speaker 1: sleeved arms in the air, doing that celebratory dance. He 160 00:11:06,600 --> 00:11:09,679 Speaker 1: always looks the same, he always plays the same, and 161 00:11:09,720 --> 00:11:18,880 Speaker 1: he's always great. That's steady Freddie. But what story can 162 00:11:18,920 --> 00:11:23,680 Speaker 1: you tell about a man who never changes? Keep listening 163 00:11:23,679 --> 00:11:27,000 Speaker 1: to this podcast episode and you'll find out as we 164 00:11:27,080 --> 00:11:30,440 Speaker 1: present more pictures of Freddie that reveal there's a lot 165 00:11:30,480 --> 00:11:36,360 Speaker 1: more to this man than just consistency. Image two Freddie 166 00:11:36,400 --> 00:11:44,439 Speaker 1: Feels June twenty twenty two, a pregame press conference before 167 00:11:44,480 --> 00:11:47,080 Speaker 1: the Dodgers faced off against the Braves in Atlanta for 168 00:11:47,120 --> 00:11:50,320 Speaker 1: the first time since Freddy became a Dodger after spending 169 00:11:50,360 --> 00:11:53,720 Speaker 1: the first fifteen years of his professional baseball career in 170 00:11:53,800 --> 00:11:55,000 Speaker 1: the Braves organization. 171 00:11:58,360 --> 00:11:59,040 Speaker 4: Give me a second. 172 00:11:59,280 --> 00:12:06,680 Speaker 1: Of course, we don't often see baseball players cry. We 173 00:12:06,760 --> 00:12:11,120 Speaker 1: haven't seen Mookie Bets cry. We haven't seen Sho Heo 174 00:12:11,240 --> 00:12:16,320 Speaker 1: Tani cry. And as you've probably heard, there's no crying 175 00:12:16,360 --> 00:12:22,120 Speaker 1: in baseball. So why is baseball's most consistent star faced down, 176 00:12:22,520 --> 00:12:26,800 Speaker 1: hunched over, weeping into a Power Aid branded hand towel. 177 00:12:29,600 --> 00:12:30,480 Speaker 4: No fucking get through this. 178 00:12:37,400 --> 00:12:41,000 Speaker 1: I gotta admit I remember feeling like I didn't quite 179 00:12:41,040 --> 00:12:43,720 Speaker 1: know what to make of Freddy's emotions at the time, 180 00:12:44,120 --> 00:12:47,800 Speaker 1: because when you put on the Dodger uniform, it's immediate 181 00:12:47,880 --> 00:12:51,760 Speaker 1: and it's forever you bleed Dodger blue. And it seemed 182 00:12:51,840 --> 00:12:55,640 Speaker 1: unclear whether Freddy was really a Dodger or if he 183 00:12:55,760 --> 00:12:58,120 Speaker 1: was still pining for the girl he had just broken 184 00:12:58,200 --> 00:12:58,600 Speaker 1: up with. 185 00:13:00,520 --> 00:13:02,680 Speaker 8: I love the Braves organization with all my heart. 186 00:13:03,679 --> 00:13:06,040 Speaker 1: Freddy had won the World Series with the Braves in 187 00:13:06,080 --> 00:13:08,440 Speaker 1: the fall of twenty twenty one, on a team that 188 00:13:08,480 --> 00:13:11,400 Speaker 1: had beat the Dodgers in the NLCS, but then the 189 00:13:11,400 --> 00:13:14,599 Speaker 1: Braves and Freddy had failed to make a deal that offseason, 190 00:13:14,760 --> 00:13:17,800 Speaker 1: and the story was that the Dodgers offered Freddy something 191 00:13:17,840 --> 00:13:22,840 Speaker 1: that his former team couldn't or didn't, namely six years 192 00:13:22,920 --> 00:13:25,840 Speaker 1: and one hundred and sixty two million dollars at the 193 00:13:25,880 --> 00:13:30,040 Speaker 1: age of thirty two. As Freddy's tears flowed freely, it 194 00:13:30,080 --> 00:13:32,400 Speaker 1: felt like he was maybe more sad that it hadn't 195 00:13:32,440 --> 00:13:35,479 Speaker 1: worked out with the Braves than happy for the opportunity 196 00:13:35,520 --> 00:13:38,080 Speaker 1: to join the Dodgers and move his family back to 197 00:13:38,160 --> 00:13:39,400 Speaker 1: his native California. 198 00:13:39,800 --> 00:13:41,520 Speaker 9: Freddy grew up in Orange. 199 00:13:41,160 --> 00:13:44,600 Speaker 1: County, so again, as I watched this, I was like, 200 00:13:45,000 --> 00:13:48,320 Speaker 1: what gives aren't you supposed to be a Dodger now? 201 00:13:48,760 --> 00:13:50,800 Speaker 1: And in terms of the rest of this, as Don 202 00:13:50,880 --> 00:13:56,080 Speaker 1: Draper would say, that's what the money is for. But 203 00:13:56,200 --> 00:13:59,360 Speaker 1: also I get it. I mean I ugly cry after 204 00:13:59,440 --> 00:14:02,520 Speaker 1: most trips to the grocery store, and Freddy had been 205 00:14:02,559 --> 00:14:05,400 Speaker 1: through something massive during his years in Atlanta. 206 00:14:05,960 --> 00:14:08,760 Speaker 8: That World Series ring is more than a ring. I 207 00:14:08,800 --> 00:14:12,400 Speaker 8: think when you're a kid, all you dream about is 208 00:14:12,440 --> 00:14:13,520 Speaker 8: making it to the big leagues. 209 00:14:14,240 --> 00:14:17,360 Speaker 1: Freddie had been with the Braves for fifteen years, since 210 00:14:17,400 --> 00:14:18,920 Speaker 1: he was seventeen years. 211 00:14:18,720 --> 00:14:22,200 Speaker 6: Old, Freddy Freeba joins us down from the Mississippi Braves. Freddie, 212 00:14:22,440 --> 00:14:24,920 Speaker 6: what has it been like for you to play professional baseball? 213 00:14:25,120 --> 00:14:26,840 Speaker 4: It's been a dream cone true ever since I was 214 00:14:26,880 --> 00:14:27,320 Speaker 4: a little boy. 215 00:14:27,320 --> 00:14:30,960 Speaker 5: I've always wanted to do this, and. 216 00:14:29,840 --> 00:14:32,000 Speaker 8: Then you get to the big leagues and all you 217 00:14:32,040 --> 00:14:33,880 Speaker 8: want to do is win. 218 00:14:34,680 --> 00:14:37,800 Speaker 1: After becoming a young star in the game in twenty fourteen, 219 00:14:37,960 --> 00:14:41,000 Speaker 1: Freddie had signed an eight year contract with the Braves 220 00:14:41,320 --> 00:14:44,400 Speaker 1: at a moment when they were embarking on a massive rebuild, 221 00:14:44,920 --> 00:14:48,600 Speaker 1: a five year process that transformed the organization totally from 222 00:14:48,680 --> 00:14:49,480 Speaker 1: top to bottom. 223 00:14:50,040 --> 00:14:53,160 Speaker 8: We went through a lot of up and downs in 224 00:14:53,200 --> 00:14:54,840 Speaker 8: my twelve years. 225 00:14:54,880 --> 00:14:57,840 Speaker 1: During those years, with younger players being brought in behind 226 00:14:57,920 --> 00:15:02,440 Speaker 1: him via player development and Internet scouting, then unknown talents 227 00:15:02,480 --> 00:15:06,720 Speaker 1: like Dansby Swanson and Ronald Acuna Junior. Freddie was the 228 00:15:06,720 --> 00:15:10,960 Speaker 1: face of the franchise in Atlanta, the keystone player as 229 00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:13,920 Speaker 1: the team built itself up brick by brick. 230 00:15:14,800 --> 00:15:18,160 Speaker 8: And we reached the pinnacle last year of winning it all. 231 00:15:18,880 --> 00:15:21,960 Speaker 1: And then that year's long plan had just finally come 232 00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:25,160 Speaker 1: to fruition in twenty twenty one, when the Braves won 233 00:15:25,200 --> 00:15:28,760 Speaker 1: their first World Series title since nineteen ninety five. 234 00:15:29,600 --> 00:15:39,680 Speaker 10: West Side Swansons, with Freddie catching the last out at 235 00:15:39,720 --> 00:15:40,440 Speaker 10: first base. 236 00:15:40,640 --> 00:15:45,600 Speaker 7: The Atlanta Braves have officially overcome all obstacles. 237 00:15:44,920 --> 00:15:46,080 Speaker 3: That were put in front. 238 00:15:45,840 --> 00:15:51,360 Speaker 1: Of It was storybook and everybody thought that Freddie would 239 00:15:51,400 --> 00:15:55,200 Speaker 1: remain a Brave forever, including Freddie. He had spoken about 240 00:15:55,200 --> 00:15:56,720 Speaker 1: that publicly, me I. 241 00:15:56,680 --> 00:15:59,680 Speaker 5: Want to be here forever, so hopefully I can be 242 00:15:59,680 --> 00:16:00,600 Speaker 5: here for the my career. 243 00:16:01,520 --> 00:16:04,760 Speaker 1: What exactly happened between Freddie and the Braves, how things 244 00:16:04,800 --> 00:16:08,560 Speaker 1: fell apart is shrouded in mystery. Freddie ended up firing 245 00:16:08,600 --> 00:16:12,240 Speaker 1: his agency after what went down, and then his main agent, 246 00:16:12,520 --> 00:16:16,440 Speaker 1: Casey Close, sued a reporter for libel. So you understand 247 00:16:16,440 --> 00:16:19,000 Speaker 1: why I'm not getting into this any further. But in 248 00:16:19,040 --> 00:16:22,680 Speaker 1: any case, whatever happened, it didn't work out. But it's 249 00:16:22,680 --> 00:16:25,400 Speaker 1: how Freddie ended up coming to the Dodgers, and that's 250 00:16:25,400 --> 00:16:27,840 Speaker 1: how you end up with Freddie visiting Atlanta for the 251 00:16:27,880 --> 00:16:31,240 Speaker 1: first time as a Dodger, crying in front of television cameras. 252 00:16:31,840 --> 00:16:32,640 Speaker 8: Okay, I'll try. 253 00:16:34,160 --> 00:16:34,920 Speaker 4: Thank you, Freddy. 254 00:16:35,760 --> 00:16:38,880 Speaker 1: It's clear that you are overcome with emotions. It's a 255 00:16:38,920 --> 00:16:41,920 Speaker 1: special day for you and your entire family being back here. 256 00:16:41,920 --> 00:16:45,840 Speaker 1: But when did Freddie really become a Dodger. A listener 257 00:16:45,840 --> 00:16:51,160 Speaker 1: submitted question helps us ponder. We'll be right back with 258 00:16:51,200 --> 00:16:56,400 Speaker 1: that and the rest of our DBD classic episode rebroadcast 259 00:16:56,720 --> 00:17:01,000 Speaker 1: of the Five Faces of Freddie Freeman. After a break, 260 00:17:15,760 --> 00:17:18,440 Speaker 1: Welcome back to the show. We are revisiting one of 261 00:17:18,480 --> 00:17:23,480 Speaker 1: our DBD classics, the Five Faces of Freddie Freeman. 262 00:17:24,800 --> 00:17:27,840 Speaker 2: Hi, Richard, this is Ben Kramer, and I have a 263 00:17:27,920 --> 00:17:31,520 Speaker 2: question about Freddie Freeman. But really maybe it's a question 264 00:17:31,600 --> 00:17:36,800 Speaker 2: about us. In twenty twenty two, when Freddie signed with 265 00:17:36,880 --> 00:17:39,120 Speaker 2: the Dodgers, I'm sure he was excaitic at the dollars 266 00:17:39,160 --> 00:17:41,720 Speaker 2: and years, but I'm sure his heart was still hurt. 267 00:17:42,960 --> 00:17:45,680 Speaker 2: Perhaps that changed at our home opener. 268 00:17:45,520 --> 00:17:49,760 Speaker 1: Here comes Freddy Freeman, Freddy's first game as a Dodger 269 00:17:49,840 --> 00:17:51,359 Speaker 1: in front of a hometown crowd. 270 00:17:52,520 --> 00:17:59,360 Speaker 2: Freddy in a high game, the bottom of the eighth 271 00:17:59,440 --> 00:18:00,320 Speaker 2: named Freddie had a. 272 00:18:00,280 --> 00:18:04,800 Speaker 7: Double even with something that singer Field slicing to the game, 273 00:18:04,960 --> 00:18:05,960 Speaker 7: Bill still. 274 00:18:07,200 --> 00:18:08,600 Speaker 3: Double, so sty sleeping. 275 00:18:10,920 --> 00:18:14,639 Speaker 2: The real time pitching change allowed Freddy, or rather us, 276 00:18:14,920 --> 00:18:17,800 Speaker 2: to relish in the moment as the opening night crowd 277 00:18:18,119 --> 00:18:27,520 Speaker 2: changes pretty pretty pretty for what felt like an eternity 278 00:18:32,880 --> 00:18:36,280 Speaker 2: acknowledging the crowd. Freddie eventually ended up with his helmet 279 00:18:36,280 --> 00:18:38,639 Speaker 2: in his hands and his hiff, taking in the moment 280 00:18:42,720 --> 00:18:46,760 Speaker 2: and then as now, I wonder, do we fans actually 281 00:18:46,800 --> 00:18:49,080 Speaker 2: have the power to change the hearts and minds of 282 00:18:49,160 --> 00:18:50,040 Speaker 2: the players we love. 283 00:18:58,600 --> 00:19:01,520 Speaker 1: This moment was just over two years ago now, but 284 00:19:01,600 --> 00:19:04,760 Speaker 1: it seems like a lifetime ago because at this point 285 00:19:04,840 --> 00:19:09,000 Speaker 1: Freddy is totally synonymous with the Los Angeles Dodgers. But 286 00:19:09,080 --> 00:19:12,639 Speaker 1: of course Freddy just fits in everywhere he always has. 287 00:19:13,000 --> 00:19:15,560 Speaker 1: He is known around the major leagues as the Mayor 288 00:19:15,600 --> 00:19:18,520 Speaker 1: of first base. Even if you're on the other side, 289 00:19:18,560 --> 00:19:21,399 Speaker 1: he wants you to feel welcome, reads an article from 290 00:19:21,440 --> 00:19:23,960 Speaker 1: The New York Times from twenty twenty one. It doesn't 291 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:25,880 Speaker 1: matter if it's the biggest game in the world. If 292 00:19:25,920 --> 00:19:28,040 Speaker 1: you get a base hit and you come to first base, 293 00:19:28,280 --> 00:19:33,199 Speaker 1: I'm going to tell you, nice job, nice hit, said Freddie. 294 00:19:34,200 --> 00:19:37,000 Speaker 1: So we've told you about mister consistent, and we've met 295 00:19:37,040 --> 00:19:39,919 Speaker 1: the Freddie who feels feelings. And in the third of 296 00:19:39,960 --> 00:19:44,200 Speaker 1: our five snapshots, we're going to get physical and I'm 297 00:19:44,240 --> 00:19:51,200 Speaker 1: not talking about playing first base. Next up Freddy's moves. 298 00:19:52,480 --> 00:19:55,360 Speaker 1: Any time one of the Dodgers gets an extra base hit, 299 00:19:55,640 --> 00:19:58,399 Speaker 1: a double or a triple. After they reach base, the 300 00:19:58,400 --> 00:20:02,520 Speaker 1: players take a moment to do little celebratory dance, shaking 301 00:20:02,560 --> 00:20:05,399 Speaker 1: their hips back and forth and waving their arms around 302 00:20:05,440 --> 00:20:07,520 Speaker 1: in the air. And then the rest of the guys 303 00:20:07,520 --> 00:20:10,120 Speaker 1: in the dugout in the bullpen all follow suit, doing 304 00:20:10,119 --> 00:20:13,600 Speaker 1: their own little dances and response. Well, this little boogie 305 00:20:13,640 --> 00:20:16,800 Speaker 1: down happens to be called the Freddy. It's become a 306 00:20:16,880 --> 00:20:20,200 Speaker 1: symbol of many happy moments for this team, and it's 307 00:20:20,280 --> 00:20:25,679 Speaker 1: named after you guessed it, our boy. Let's break it down. 308 00:20:30,480 --> 00:20:33,280 Speaker 1: The Dodgers opening a six game homestand tomorrow. 309 00:20:33,320 --> 00:20:35,320 Speaker 3: But tonight, it was a party at chab Ezervin. 310 00:20:35,560 --> 00:20:38,720 Speaker 7: Boys in Blue are back at Dodger Stadium tonight, but 311 00:20:38,880 --> 00:20:41,040 Speaker 7: this time it's not to take the field. 312 00:20:42,040 --> 00:20:46,040 Speaker 1: Every year, the Dodgers host the Blue Diamond Gala to 313 00:20:46,119 --> 00:20:49,920 Speaker 1: help raise money for the Dodgers Foundation, the team's main charity, 314 00:20:49,960 --> 00:20:53,120 Speaker 1: which helps fund a variety of programs in LA from 315 00:20:53,280 --> 00:20:57,680 Speaker 1: education to healthcare, to homelessness and social justice causes. All 316 00:20:57,720 --> 00:21:00,560 Speaker 1: the players dress up in designer clothing and bring their 317 00:21:00,600 --> 00:21:04,080 Speaker 1: wives in significant others. The couples are interviewed by the 318 00:21:04,119 --> 00:21:07,159 Speaker 1: media on the blue carpet and then there's dinner in 319 00:21:07,280 --> 00:21:11,320 Speaker 1: dancing and a special musical guest. Last year, the musical 320 00:21:11,359 --> 00:21:12,640 Speaker 1: guest was Usher. 321 00:21:13,119 --> 00:21:14,960 Speaker 5: If you need to pick one player from the clubhouse 322 00:21:15,000 --> 00:21:17,600 Speaker 5: yourself included to win a dance battle against Usher, who 323 00:21:17,640 --> 00:21:18,359 Speaker 5: would they go with you? 324 00:21:18,440 --> 00:21:22,360 Speaker 1: Yuki looking great, red suit, broad brimmed hat. 325 00:21:22,240 --> 00:21:27,720 Speaker 9: And a dance battle against Usher. I'm going to go with. 326 00:21:29,920 --> 00:21:31,240 Speaker 4: Freddy. I'm gonna go Freddy. 327 00:21:31,320 --> 00:21:32,040 Speaker 9: Is there a reason why? 328 00:21:32,800 --> 00:21:32,919 Speaker 2: Uh? 329 00:21:33,600 --> 00:21:35,720 Speaker 9: Nah? That undisclosed information. 330 00:21:36,600 --> 00:21:38,040 Speaker 5: If you need to pick a player in the clubhouse 331 00:21:38,080 --> 00:21:40,320 Speaker 5: to win a dance battle against Usher, who you going with? 332 00:21:40,400 --> 00:21:40,800 Speaker 9: Then you can be. 333 00:21:40,840 --> 00:21:43,040 Speaker 4: Yourself a dance battle against Usher. 334 00:21:43,400 --> 00:21:46,480 Speaker 1: Jason Hayward blush peak sports jacket. 335 00:21:46,160 --> 00:21:48,600 Speaker 9: Like, Yeah, I'm gonna say Freddy free. We'll give him 336 00:21:48,600 --> 00:21:50,760 Speaker 9: a run for his money. Do you enjoy getting dressed 337 00:21:50,800 --> 00:21:51,520 Speaker 9: up for something like this? 338 00:21:51,640 --> 00:21:51,800 Speaker 4: Oh? 339 00:21:52,040 --> 00:21:53,919 Speaker 5: I think we like getting dressed up. I know my 340 00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:55,280 Speaker 5: wife like get dressed up. 341 00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:59,320 Speaker 1: Freddie showed up looking sharp in a blue plaid suit. 342 00:21:59,080 --> 00:22:01,879 Speaker 9: To win a dance battle against Usher. Who are you 343 00:22:01,920 --> 00:22:02,199 Speaker 9: going with? 344 00:22:02,280 --> 00:22:02,399 Speaker 2: Then? 345 00:22:02,440 --> 00:22:04,679 Speaker 9: Why? And I'll let you know that you've Jason Heyward, 346 00:22:04,760 --> 00:22:05,280 Speaker 9: just stick to you. 347 00:22:05,480 --> 00:22:08,080 Speaker 5: I know a lot of people that know me are 348 00:22:08,080 --> 00:22:11,280 Speaker 5: probably gonna pick me to Beyon. I'm going to need 349 00:22:11,320 --> 00:22:13,800 Speaker 5: a little liquid courage to go against us. 350 00:22:16,160 --> 00:22:25,359 Speaker 1: Nightfalls wine flows. The next day, a video went viral 351 00:22:25,440 --> 00:22:30,080 Speaker 1: across Dodger Land of Freddy his unusually long arms lofted 352 00:22:30,119 --> 00:22:34,239 Speaker 1: into the air, bouncing to the beat of Usher. The 353 00:22:34,280 --> 00:22:39,080 Speaker 1: Dodgers new celebratory dance had been created. One out and 354 00:22:39,160 --> 00:22:40,240 Speaker 1: runners at the corners. 355 00:22:40,320 --> 00:22:41,200 Speaker 4: Freddy knows his. 356 00:22:41,240 --> 00:22:42,680 Speaker 3: Job first and foremost. 357 00:22:42,760 --> 00:22:45,000 Speaker 1: Get the run in and the Dodgers next game against 358 00:22:45,040 --> 00:22:47,679 Speaker 1: the Rangers, the only question was who would hit the 359 00:22:47,680 --> 00:22:50,199 Speaker 1: first extra base hit and be the first one to 360 00:22:50,280 --> 00:22:53,600 Speaker 1: bust a move at second base On National TV. 361 00:22:55,040 --> 00:22:58,280 Speaker 7: Freeman goes after the first pitch that finds a fair 362 00:22:58,920 --> 00:23:01,479 Speaker 7: center Oh to the wall, Freddy. 363 00:23:01,560 --> 00:23:04,719 Speaker 3: Freeman times the ballgame with a stand up double. 364 00:23:05,960 --> 00:23:06,840 Speaker 2: Freddy he the first. 365 00:23:06,840 --> 00:23:11,160 Speaker 9: All next day, Freddy's there like dancing and moving his head. 366 00:23:11,480 --> 00:23:13,040 Speaker 5: And of course I was the first one to have 367 00:23:13,119 --> 00:23:15,600 Speaker 5: to do it. But we're having fun with the So 368 00:23:16,240 --> 00:23:18,560 Speaker 5: there's the my dance from the Gala. That's what we're 369 00:23:18,560 --> 00:23:20,000 Speaker 5: doing on extra base hits now. 370 00:23:23,680 --> 00:23:26,679 Speaker 2: It wasn't too long ago Jawan Hendrick stood in the 371 00:23:26,720 --> 00:23:30,119 Speaker 2: booths to create what could be the anthem for this 372 00:23:30,320 --> 00:23:32,000 Speaker 2: Dodger's postseason run. 373 00:23:32,240 --> 00:23:35,800 Speaker 1: Lifelong Dodger fan and rapper Jawan Hendricks even created a 374 00:23:35,920 --> 00:23:39,440 Speaker 1: custom anthem to go along with the dance, now forever 375 00:23:39,560 --> 00:23:40,920 Speaker 1: known as the Freddy. 376 00:23:42,119 --> 00:23:45,560 Speaker 3: Will Steady one, two, three. 377 00:23:47,800 --> 00:23:51,000 Speaker 1: And the Dodgers are still doing the Freddy after every 378 00:23:51,119 --> 00:23:57,919 Speaker 1: double and triple to this day. Our fourth image is 379 00:23:57,960 --> 00:24:02,280 Speaker 1: of frustrated Freddy tossing his helmet after a strikeout. It's 380 00:24:02,359 --> 00:24:04,560 Speaker 1: rare Freddy lets his emotions get to him on the 381 00:24:04,560 --> 00:24:07,119 Speaker 1: ball field, but at the beginning of this season it 382 00:24:07,200 --> 00:24:10,560 Speaker 1: seemed like it was happening again and again. Joe Davis 383 00:24:10,600 --> 00:24:13,840 Speaker 1: even started picking up on it during the broadcasts, noting 384 00:24:13,840 --> 00:24:17,360 Speaker 1: that Freddy was quote frustrated, and a series of stories 385 00:24:17,359 --> 00:24:20,720 Speaker 1: from beat writers dug into the idea that although he 386 00:24:20,840 --> 00:24:24,000 Speaker 1: was batting near three hundred, Freddy wasn't happy with his 387 00:24:24,080 --> 00:24:26,480 Speaker 1: performance at the plate. He felt that he was in 388 00:24:26,520 --> 00:24:28,800 Speaker 1: a prolonged slump that had started at the end of 389 00:24:28,880 --> 00:24:31,320 Speaker 1: last season when he struggled to make it to his 390 00:24:31,400 --> 00:24:34,280 Speaker 1: sixtieth double during the final few weeks of the year, 391 00:24:34,600 --> 00:24:38,640 Speaker 1: ultimately never getting there, and along with Mooki, he went 392 00:24:38,840 --> 00:24:43,919 Speaker 1: over during a very disappointing NLDS for the Dodgers. So 393 00:24:43,960 --> 00:24:47,360 Speaker 1: Why would Freddy be frustrated? Would it be because he's 394 00:24:47,400 --> 00:24:52,480 Speaker 1: thinking of something inevitable, that is the end of his career. Freddie, 395 00:24:52,520 --> 00:24:54,120 Speaker 1: talk to me about what you've done, right. 396 00:24:54,359 --> 00:24:57,080 Speaker 10: I just feel like your best years are happening right now, 397 00:24:57,560 --> 00:24:59,879 Speaker 10: even with the great years you put together in your career. 398 00:25:00,280 --> 00:25:01,840 Speaker 5: When I was younger, I didn't really have to secure 399 00:25:01,880 --> 00:25:03,480 Speaker 5: myself and all that, and you just learn how to 400 00:25:03,520 --> 00:25:05,800 Speaker 5: work out, you learn how to eat. So maybe I've 401 00:25:06,240 --> 00:25:09,360 Speaker 5: prolonged my prime as much as I could. And that's 402 00:25:09,520 --> 00:25:11,080 Speaker 5: my goal is to play as long as I can. 403 00:25:11,240 --> 00:25:12,880 Speaker 4: So I'm feeling good. 404 00:25:12,920 --> 00:25:15,160 Speaker 5: I feel great, so hopefully I can keep that going 405 00:25:15,200 --> 00:25:15,879 Speaker 5: for a long time. 406 00:25:16,520 --> 00:25:19,840 Speaker 1: Last year we saw Freddie reach three hundred home runs. 407 00:25:20,160 --> 00:25:23,480 Speaker 1: He also got to two thousand hits last season, and 408 00:25:23,680 --> 00:25:27,200 Speaker 1: he put together his first twenty home run twenty stolen 409 00:25:27,280 --> 00:25:32,320 Speaker 1: based season of his entire career. But nothing lasts forever. 410 00:25:33,160 --> 00:25:38,399 Speaker 1: Freddie is thirty five, after all. It's one of the 411 00:25:38,520 --> 00:25:41,560 Speaker 1: key things to think about with this team, the twenty 412 00:25:41,600 --> 00:25:46,240 Speaker 1: twenty four Los Angeles Dodgers. We've got Mooki, Shohe and 413 00:25:46,280 --> 00:25:51,040 Speaker 1: Freddie the MV three all in their prime this year. 414 00:25:51,600 --> 00:25:55,080 Speaker 1: So when Freddy is frustrated with his performance. Maybe that's 415 00:25:55,119 --> 00:25:57,760 Speaker 1: on his mind. He knows what it takes to win 416 00:25:57,800 --> 00:26:00,679 Speaker 1: a World Series. He did it in Atlanta in twenty 417 00:26:00,720 --> 00:26:07,560 Speaker 1: twenty one. Our last image is of future. 418 00:26:07,160 --> 00:26:12,680 Speaker 11: Freddy seven time All Star twenty twenty in LMVP, who 419 00:26:12,680 --> 00:26:14,520 Speaker 11: came in a second. 420 00:26:15,720 --> 00:26:16,640 Speaker 4: Or third that year. 421 00:26:16,920 --> 00:26:20,479 Speaker 1: When Freddy appeared on Muki's podcast last year, Mooki listed 422 00:26:20,520 --> 00:26:21,880 Speaker 1: off some of his accolades. 423 00:26:22,359 --> 00:26:25,960 Speaker 11: Three times Silver Slugger and the twenty twenty one World 424 00:26:26,040 --> 00:26:26,800 Speaker 11: Series Champion. 425 00:26:27,440 --> 00:26:28,360 Speaker 4: That's the most important. 426 00:26:28,440 --> 00:26:31,160 Speaker 11: That's the most important. That's the reason why we play. 427 00:26:31,480 --> 00:26:32,880 Speaker 11: We've got another chance this year. 428 00:26:33,560 --> 00:26:37,479 Speaker 1: The World Series win. That's the most important one. And 429 00:26:37,520 --> 00:26:40,200 Speaker 1: that's the thing that Freddy hasn't done with the Dodgers. 430 00:26:40,640 --> 00:26:43,639 Speaker 1: That's the thing we all want to do this year. 431 00:26:47,320 --> 00:26:51,800 Speaker 1: Freddy just returned from Arlington, Texas, where he participated in 432 00:26:51,840 --> 00:26:57,240 Speaker 1: the Midsummer Classic, his eighth All Star Game appearance. When 433 00:26:57,280 --> 00:27:00,280 Speaker 1: his selection was first announced, this was his reaction. 434 00:27:01,520 --> 00:27:03,600 Speaker 5: You never know it's your last one, so every single 435 00:27:03,640 --> 00:27:05,480 Speaker 5: one's special ideam we didn't raise one too. 436 00:27:07,040 --> 00:27:10,120 Speaker 1: You never know when it's going to be your last one. 437 00:27:10,240 --> 00:27:14,080 Speaker 1: Veteran baseball players talk like this a lot. They live 438 00:27:14,240 --> 00:27:17,439 Speaker 1: in the awareness that their careers may end at any moment. 439 00:27:18,320 --> 00:27:23,119 Speaker 1: When will that consistency fall off? When is the change coming? 440 00:27:23,640 --> 00:27:28,000 Speaker 1: When will it end? It's not something we necessarily have 441 00:27:28,119 --> 00:27:36,080 Speaker 1: control over. It is the existential. Freddy's mother died when 442 00:27:36,160 --> 00:27:42,720 Speaker 1: he was ten years old skin cancer melanoma. This is 443 00:27:42,760 --> 00:27:47,080 Speaker 1: why mister consistent wears sleeves during every game, even when 444 00:27:47,080 --> 00:27:49,720 Speaker 1: it's a night game, which the majority of the time 445 00:27:49,840 --> 00:27:53,359 Speaker 1: it is, even when it's blistering hot and the humidity 446 00:27:53,440 --> 00:27:56,280 Speaker 1: is through the roof. This isn't so much in an 447 00:27:56,320 --> 00:27:59,560 Speaker 1: effort to raise awareness about the disease or the tragic 448 00:27:59,640 --> 00:28:02,880 Speaker 1: loss his mother, but it's more, as Freddie himself has 449 00:28:02,880 --> 00:28:05,960 Speaker 1: said in interviews, to keep the memory of his mother 450 00:28:06,080 --> 00:28:09,280 Speaker 1: with him at all times when he's playing baseball. 451 00:28:10,119 --> 00:28:11,840 Speaker 5: So every time I put on my tight sleeves, it 452 00:28:11,840 --> 00:28:12,680 Speaker 5: makes me think of her. 453 00:28:14,000 --> 00:28:18,560 Speaker 1: It's a talisman, a physical reminder, much like the cross 454 00:28:18,600 --> 00:28:20,159 Speaker 1: he wears around his neck, A. 455 00:28:20,359 --> 00:28:23,720 Speaker 5: Cross around my neck that then screws and has her 456 00:28:23,760 --> 00:28:24,600 Speaker 5: hair inside of it. 457 00:28:25,400 --> 00:28:27,040 Speaker 4: When you get to know me, pretty much everything I 458 00:28:27,080 --> 00:28:27,760 Speaker 4: do is for my mom. 459 00:28:27,800 --> 00:28:30,080 Speaker 5: And there's a lot of things that go into each 460 00:28:30,160 --> 00:28:34,840 Speaker 5: game that I do for remembering my mom. I miss her, 461 00:28:34,960 --> 00:28:38,560 Speaker 5: so I like to honor her in every aspect of 462 00:28:38,600 --> 00:28:41,520 Speaker 5: my life. I try and do everything I can for her. 463 00:28:41,600 --> 00:28:51,840 Speaker 1: So I put the five photos together. Well two three, 464 00:28:52,000 --> 00:29:02,240 Speaker 1: four five, What do I see? Freddie is a paradox 465 00:29:03,880 --> 00:29:06,920 Speaker 1: of all of baseball's superstars. He is at once the 466 00:29:06,960 --> 00:29:10,120 Speaker 1: most unlike us and at the same time the most 467 00:29:10,440 --> 00:29:14,280 Speaker 1: exactly like us. His life and career are the stuff 468 00:29:14,280 --> 00:29:17,160 Speaker 1: of make believe. He has it all. I didn't get 469 00:29:17,160 --> 00:29:19,840 Speaker 1: around in this episode to talking about his wife and 470 00:29:19,920 --> 00:29:22,800 Speaker 1: three children, how he plays catch with his son Charlie 471 00:29:22,800 --> 00:29:29,000 Speaker 1: on the field before games. He is superficially classic, statuesque, inscrutable, 472 00:29:30,120 --> 00:29:32,520 Speaker 1: but at the same time, more than any other player, 473 00:29:32,600 --> 00:29:35,840 Speaker 1: Freddie has provided us with the most moments of real 474 00:29:36,240 --> 00:29:39,320 Speaker 1: that just feel authentic to who he is as a person, 475 00:29:39,920 --> 00:29:43,240 Speaker 1: Even without meeting him, just by snapping these little photos 476 00:29:43,280 --> 00:29:46,720 Speaker 1: from Afar and looking at them, I feel I know him. 477 00:29:47,600 --> 00:29:49,719 Speaker 1: He cries because his heart is broken. 478 00:29:49,960 --> 00:29:50,640 Speaker 4: Give me second. 479 00:29:50,880 --> 00:29:55,400 Speaker 1: He dances like nobody's watching. He plays hard and with heart, 480 00:29:55,640 --> 00:29:58,800 Speaker 1: and he gets frustrated because he knows that one day 481 00:29:58,880 --> 00:30:01,880 Speaker 1: soon he won't be able to any longer. I guess 482 00:30:01,880 --> 00:30:04,280 Speaker 1: heard her, So I hope that the Dodgers get to 483 00:30:04,320 --> 00:30:07,200 Speaker 1: the world series this year with Freddie and I hope 484 00:30:07,200 --> 00:30:09,640 Speaker 1: that we win, and if we do, it will be 485 00:30:09,640 --> 00:30:14,160 Speaker 1: because we have played and lived as Freddie does. Life 486 00:30:14,200 --> 00:30:19,240 Speaker 1: is short, play hard, get your uniform dirty, be good 487 00:30:19,280 --> 00:30:23,000 Speaker 1: to your friends and your family. Do that dance you do, 488 00:30:23,840 --> 00:30:27,440 Speaker 1: Shake it baby, maybe we'll all start dancing along with you. 489 00:30:35,360 --> 00:30:47,200 Speaker 1: Thanks Freddie Dodger. Blue Dream is written and produced by 490 00:30:47,280 --> 00:30:51,520 Speaker 1: me Richard Parks. Original music in this episode by the 491 00:30:51,640 --> 00:30:57,040 Speaker 1: wildly wonderful William Ryan Fritch, the genuinely generous Jonathan Snipes, 492 00:30:57,320 --> 00:31:00,440 Speaker 1: and by the Blasting Company and Tiny Starr, and a 493 00:31:00,440 --> 00:31:04,080 Speaker 1: little bit by me too. Freddie's walk up song is 494 00:31:04,200 --> 00:31:09,920 Speaker 1: by La Conemugo, by Davy and Victor Cardinas featuring Kelly Ruiz. 495 00:31:11,200 --> 00:31:14,440 Speaker 1: We have new artwork That beautiful blue and red boogain 496 00:31:14,520 --> 00:31:17,920 Speaker 1: via watercolor rendering is brought to us by none other 497 00:31:17,920 --> 00:31:23,160 Speaker 1: than Sally Writer Parks. Our story editor is Caitlin Esh. 498 00:31:23,680 --> 00:31:26,960 Speaker 1: Thank you Ben Kramer for the voicemail. Incidentally, you can 499 00:31:26,960 --> 00:31:30,320 Speaker 1: head to the website Aquarium Drunkard to read a lengthy 500 00:31:30,320 --> 00:31:33,200 Speaker 1: interview with me conducted by men where we discuss this 501 00:31:33,320 --> 00:31:37,160 Speaker 1: show and my process making it. Those are unrelated events 502 00:31:37,240 --> 00:31:39,040 Speaker 1: and you do not need to do an interview with me. 503 00:31:39,160 --> 00:31:41,960 Speaker 1: To leave us a voicemail. That number is three two 504 00:31:41,960 --> 00:31:47,520 Speaker 1: three eight one three six six three four. The last 505 00:31:47,560 --> 00:31:50,880 Speaker 1: request to please rate and review Dodger Blue Dream wherever 506 00:31:50,960 --> 00:31:53,800 Speaker 1: you can and share the show with your community in 507 00:31:53,880 --> 00:31:57,880 Speaker 1: whatever way feels good to you. That really does help. 508 00:31:59,240 --> 00:32:02,920 Speaker 1: Thanks again and for listening. See you next time.