Liberty Media robbed a generation of Braves fans of their Chipper Jones

Liberty Media going cheap ultimately cost a generation of Atlanta Braves fans their version of Chipper Jones in Freddie Freeman.

While Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos had to do what he had to do, Liberty Media’s decision to pinch pennies in an hour of need cost Braves Country their beloved Freddie Freeman. He had a chance to be the franchise’s next Chipper Jones, but that is no longer the case.

Waiting until the last minute to re-sign the former franchise cornerstone proved costly. Atlanta was willing to give Freeman a five-year deal worth $140 million. His hometown Los Angeles Dodgers gave him six years worth $162 million. Weather may have beaten out taxes in the end, but it was contract length that was the divisive issue leading to the divorce. You cannot blame him.

It makes sense. Freeman is from Orange County. His wife Chelsea and their three boys spend winter in Corona Del Mar. Freeman’s father still lives out there. The Dodgers are a well-run organization that contends for championships annually. Ultimately, it is abundantly clear Freeman wanted to leave Atlanta more than to stay. It is also clear that Liberty Media broke his heart last offseason.

As Braves Country has already moved on to a trio of local high school products, including Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson who they got in a blockbuster trade that sent most notably outfielder Cristian Pache and catcher Shea Langeliers to the Bay Area, keep in mind that a generation of Braves fans are being denied their version of Chipper by seeing Freeman walk.

It is a bittersweet departure. While local kids are coming home for both NL contending teams, the Braves will have to scale back up the mountain without the face of the franchise from the last nine seasons.

It is really over.

Atlanta Braves: Liberty Media played its part in the Freddie Freeman divorce

Players playing for only one franchise is such a rarity anyway. For that to happen, he needs to be an elite player to not only have staying power in baseball, but to grab a hold of a fanbase’s heartstrings as such. Jones was that for the Braves for nearly 20 years. Freeman had that opportunity, but he leaves for a bitter rival much like Tom Glavine did two decades before him.

The big differences between Freeman and Glavine’s free agencies are as follows. Atlanta saw a massive pay roll deduction in the wake of former owner Ted Turner selling the team to Time Warner. Glavine was already a future hall of famer when he left in 2003. He was also in his mid-to-late 30s. Not only that be he was a pitcher, only tasked to toe the rubber every fifth day.

As for Freeman, he takes a lot of pride in playing all 162. It will be interesting to see how that dynamic impacts the Dodgers’ clubhouse, an organization where taking days off is more readily accepted. Though he leaves Atlanta on top as a World Series champion, he will now be compared to Albert Pujols, the last star first baseman to leave immediately after winning it all in free agency.

No, Freeman’s contract with the Dodgers will not be as punitive as Albert Pujols’ albatross of one became in the better part of his deal with the Los Angeles Angels. Sadly, he has not won a World Series since leaving the St. Louis Cardinals over a decade.

As much as it stinks to see Freeman play for an emerging intra-league rival with several good years left in the tank, Atlanta should have one of the best teams in baseball yet again. One could argue they are in better shape now and in the future financially by making the moves they did. Olson is four years younger and costs one-third less. Atlanta could also re-sign Eddie Rosario.

However, there will be an empty feeling when the Braves play their first home game at Truist Park in their World Series title defense. It will be another big celebration in The Battery for sure, but the guy who was the leader of the team is no longer with the organization. Freeman will get his ring and his respect from Braves Country when the Dodgers come to town, but it will not be the same.

It will be a first hard lesson for many young Braves fans that all good things must come to an end.