Austin Riley gives promising quote on Freddie Freeman’s return
Austin Riley provided optimism surrounding Freddie Freeman.
The Atlanta Braves were particularly hit hard by COVID-19, and Freddie Freeman had one of the worst cases seen in professional sports. It got so bad it reportedly caused Nick Markakis to opt out of the 2020 season.
Freeman is now back, and that is great news both for him personally and for the entire Braves organization. Austin Riley expressed excitement and optimism about Freeman’s return.
#Braves' Austin Riley on Freddie Freeman's return: “It’s huge. Having a guy like that out is the last thing you want. He’s the best player on our team, our No. 3 hitter...To not have him in the lineup would have been devastating.... It's a huge confidence boost for everyone.”
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) July 20, 2020
Freddie Freeman’s role in Atlanta
The Braves have plenty of young stars such as Dansby Swason, Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies. But it has been Freeman who has been a consistent force for the past decade.
He is a four-time All-Star and has played a full 162-game season twice in his career. In fact, he has missed a total of four games in the past two seasons combined. Riley openly said Freeman is the best player on the team and losing him for the season would have been a huge hit to the lineup.
Freeman’s presence as a veteran who is playing at such a high level should not be forgotten either. He sets the tone for the entire team and coming back from a 104.5 degree fever should be enough to inspire his young teammates.
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The Braves already lost Josh Donaldson this offseason and could not afford another big blow. Riley acknowledged the confidence boost provided by Freeman, and it has to be inspiring as a young player to be cheered on by someone who has had so much success. The hope now is that Freeman doesn’t have any complications after contracting the virus. Leading his Braves to a title after what he went through would make for one amazing story.