Freddie Freeman Brushes Off Boos in Return to Atlanta

Freddie Freeman, the Los Angeles Dodgers' first baseman, stated he did not hear the boos directed at him during his return to Atlanta for Game 3 of the National League Division Series, attributing the sounds to general crowd noise.

Freeman, a former star for the Atlanta Braves, downplayed the significance of his reunion with his old team, noting that it has been five years since his departure in the 2022 offseason. He pointed out that only four of his former teammates from the 2021 World Series championship team remain with the Braves.

"I understand it will be a storyline, I get it," Freeman told reporters before the series began. "But it is five years later. I’m not going to try and look at it any differently."

His reception on Tuesday night, however, differed from previous returns to Atlanta. While he was previously met with ovations, including an emotional moment during his championship ring presentation in 2022, this time he faced repeated boos from the crowd. One fan was reportedly heard chanting "traitor!"

"I’ve got a gray uniform on," Freeman said with a smile when asked about the reaction. "I expect boos. It’s OK."

Despite the reception, Freeman reflected positively on his 15 years with the Braves organization, stating, "I loved every second of it."

Freeman contributed to the Dodgers' 3-1 victory in Game 3 with his second home run of the series, putting the Dodgers one win away from advancing to the NL Championship Series. "We’re trying to win the game. They want to win it for their team," he commented on the competitive atmosphere. "So it’s OK. It’s all love. I still love everybody here."

When pressed again about the boos, Freeman concluded, "I would be surprised if they cheered me in October."