logo
Former Braves players Freddie Freeman and Max Fried are making their return to Atlanta as All-Stars

Former Braves players Freddie Freeman and Max Fried are making their return to Atlanta as All-Stars

ATLANTA (AP) — Four years of return visits to Atlanta has prepared Freddie Freeman for another Tuesday night, this time as the starting first baseman for the National League in the All-Star Game.
Freeman, now in his fourth season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, played his first 12 seasons in Atlanta. He makes no effort to hide his emotions when he returns and says he won't be surprised if another warm reception from Atlanta fans creates another emotional response.
'Now that I'm here, I think it's going to be special,' Freeman said before Monday night's Home Run Derby. "For the last four years, every time I come back, the fans, they've given me such great big, standing ovations, so I don't expect anything.
'I'm just happy to be back and play in front of these fans again. So if they give me one, believe me, I'll take it all in. I think you guys know, whatever I feel on the field, I let it come out. So we'll see what happens tomorrow.'
Freeman won't be the only former Atlanta star making his return. Max Fried, who leads the American League and is tied for the MLB lead with 11 wins in his first season with the New York Yankees, returns following eight seasons with the Braves. Both players still have homes in Atlanta and get to sleep in their own beds this week.
Fried won't be able to participate in the game due to a blister on his left index finger.
Fried left Atlanta to sign an eight-year, $218 million contract with the Yankees in December.
Freeman said he was 'so happy' Fried landed the big contract.
'I think we all know Max and how wonderful a person he is,' Freeman said. 'And to see him get that contract rightfully, he deserves. He's, you know, a big-game pitcher pitching on the biggest stage. ... And it's really hard in your first year of a new contract, new team. ... And for him to go out there and have (success), it's awesome. Especially in pinstripes in the Bronx, when there's a lot of pressure on you.'
Fried was replaced on the All-Star roster by Yankees teammate Carlos Rodón but is still attending the festivities in Atlanta. The Yankees may start Fried in a three-game series at AL East-leading Toronto on July 21-23 after opening the second half by visiting the Braves.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said it was clear how much it meant to Freeman to return to Atlanta as an All-Star.
'It's something that I know once they announced that it was going to be held here, it was marked on his calendar,' Roberts said. 'And then that was kind of his goal, was to get back here and get in front of the Braves' faithful that cheered him on for, what, 11, 12 years. So he's sleeping in his own bed for a couple nights.'
"It's special,' he said. 'I think every time I come back, I try to portray what Atlanta means to me. Oh, it's special every time I come back and the receptions they've given me the last four years. So I spent a lot of wonderful years here. ... I'm excited to be back.'
___
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Should the Yankees trade prospect Spencer Jones?
Should the Yankees trade prospect Spencer Jones?

Yahoo

timea few seconds ago

  • Yahoo

Should the Yankees trade prospect Spencer Jones?

Yahoo Sports senior MLB analysts Jordan Shusterman and Jake Mintz explain why it's the perfect time for New York to deal their hot-hitting outfield prospect. Hear the full conversation on the 'Baseball Bar-B-Cast' podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you View more Video Transcript I have a couple of thoughts here as someone who thinks a lot about Spencer Jones. One, the Yankees should absolutely trade him at this deadline, like 100%. I hope Spencer Jones gets to have a long big league career. If he wants to be with the Yankees, I hope that that happens. However, his value is never going to be higher than it is right now. Him hitting 13 home runs in 19 games right in front of the deadline when the Yankees have holes to fill, just, just go, just do it right now. Now, you mentioned that he's doing his best Aaron Judge impression. That is more recent from a mechanical standpoint than you might realize, No, Judge is a righty, Jones is a lefty. Only over the last year or a bit more has Jones kind of fully adopted the Judge swing, the Turner Man style back hip load, one leg type deal. The stance is incredibly ugly looking; it is not fluid. And if it looks like someone who's never, who hasn't played a lot of baseball, like when he stands there, but when he makes contact, holy freaking crap. And the one other important thing that's worth noting about Spencer Jones is that he could probably play a little bit of center, right? And I think that gives him a slightly higher floor than what he's being given credit for. Well, and this is why the spit on the Yankees, if that is to be, because I think your points about the deadline are totally valid. He's only played center. Now, I don't know what that means because so did Jason Dominguez, and he's like one of the worst left fielders I've ever seen. So I don't know how to project any Yankees defender at this point, so I think we can stay focused on the bat, but that's the other thing, as I say, oh well, he's got to be up at some point. But like I, like I also said about Suarez, the Yankees are not craving home runs right now. So that's why I think, to your point, trading him for something that they actually do need would make a lot of sense, even though you have to imagine there would be some level of fear that like, oh my God, what if he is 60% of Aaron Judge, that's a hell of a hitter. Close

Valkyries' Kayla Thornton to miss rest of season after knee surgery
Valkyries' Kayla Thornton to miss rest of season after knee surgery

New York Times

timea few seconds ago

  • New York Times

Valkyries' Kayla Thornton to miss rest of season after knee surgery

Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton will miss the rest of the season after undergoing right knee surgery, the team announced Friday. Thornton sustained the season-ending injury at practice this week, the team said. Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton, who suffered an injury to her right knee earlier this week in practice, underwent a successful surgery earlier today in San Francisco. Thornton will be out for the remainder of the 2025 WNBA season and will begin the rehabilitation… — Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) July 25, 2025 The loss is a crushing blow to the Valkyries (10-12) and comes at a brutal time in their schedule. Thornton, a nine-year veteran, became an All-Star for the first time this season. She averaged 14 points, seven rebounds and 1.3 steals, all team highs. Thornton scored a career-high 29 points in a home win over the Chicago Sky on June 27. Advertisement Golden State is in the middle of its most difficult stretch, playing 10 of 12 games on the road. The Valkyries went 1-5 in the first half of that slate and play the Dallas Wings at home on Friday before five-straight on the road. Thornton came off the bench for Team Clark in last week's All-Star Game, scoring 15 points after becoming the Valkyries first All-Star in the franchise's debut season.

Chicago's trade deadline split: Cubs buying, White Sox selling
Chicago's trade deadline split: Cubs buying, White Sox selling

Axios

time2 minutes ago

  • Axios

Chicago's trade deadline split: Cubs buying, White Sox selling

The MLB trade deadline is Thursday, and both the Cubs and the White Sox are expected to be wheeling and dealing. Why it matters: For the Cubs, it's about retooling for a playoff run. For the White Sox, it's about retooling for the future. State of play: Watch for the Cubs to make deals for pitchers and a third baseman to fortify their roster for a deep playoff run. Yes, but: A slew of teams are in contention, looking to trade for the same positions, making this deadline more competitive than usual. Zoom in: Barring a collapse, the North Siders are playoff-bound. They have possible MVP candidates in Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker, but have dealt with some injuries, most notably losing ace pitcher Justin Steele for the season. The intrigue: The Cubs have one of the best minor league systems in baseball. If they want to make a splash and trade for a superstar, they have better prospects than most other teams to give in return. Outfielder Owen Caissie is one of the best in the minor leagues. Between the lines: The Cubs could go after Diamondbacks slugger Eugenio Suárez, but he's having a monster season, so the price may be steep. Another third baseman reportedly on the trade block is the Cardinals' Nolan Arenado, but it's unlikely the NL Central rivals would make a deal with each other. Former All-Star pitcher Sandy Alcántara from the Marlins is an option, or the Royals' Seth Lugo. Don't be surprised if they take a swing at relief pitching, too. The Guardians' Emmanuel Clase and the Orioles' Félix Bautista could be available. The other side: For the White Sox, the team is starting to click as some of the highly touted prospects find their way to the big league roster. Reality check: Even with a modest winning streak since the All-Star break, the Sox are out of contention and will be selling at the deadline. The most notable name is Luis Robert Jr. He's had an awful season, but has turned it around in the last few weeks. It may be enough for the Sox to get a good deal in return. The San Diego Padres and the Cincinnati Reds are rumored to be interested. Also, journeyman pitchers Adrian Houser and Aaron Civale could bring back some young players for the future.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store