New Los Angeles Dodgers star Freddie Freeman hit his first home run with the team. That had Atlanta Braves fans in their feelings.
Freeman hit an opposite-field home run against the San Diego Padres on Friday afternoon, marking his first such dinger as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Sure, his first regular-season home run will mark a far greater occasion, but even a spring training blast signals the beginning of one era, and the end of another.
Freddie Freeman home run to the opposite field so baseball is officially back pic.twitter.com/3FBtcDor4Y
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 26, 2022
For Braves fans, it was a sight for sore eyes, and one they never expected to see. Freeman’s contract wasn’t one the Braves couldn’t afford, and depending who you believe, the two sides really should’ve found a way to make it work.
Instead, Freeman has some emotional baggage to deal with, as the Braves front office traded for his replacement while he reportedly remained in play for them. Ouch.
Braves fans react to Freddie Freeman’s home run
Atlanta Braves fans have had a tough enough time getting used to Freeman in a different uniform. Watching him hit oppo blasts with another team, as he did so often for the Braves at Truist Park?
Consider that a crime against baseball.
I used to know a guy by that name but he was a Brave…
— Lowcountry John (@Bentelligence) March 26, 2022
— The Daily Braves (@thedailybraves) March 26, 2022
Expect him to have another MVP year with all the other offensive weapons protecting him in that lineup.
— ALEXIS VILLAMIL (@alevilla_1000) March 26, 2022
Never been so sad from a home run!
— matthew roberts (@matthewrobert33) March 26, 2022
— Kirby’s Mart (B2B) (@kirbyssmart) March 26, 2022
https://twitter.com/ymionhere/status/1507685836174856197
Guy left us, it was his own choice. Let it go, move on. It’s also on the reporters to stop asking about him, it’s not their job to cover Freddie Freeman anymore. https://t.co/Zis5qRHqVa
— Jimmy (@JimmyG1574) March 26, 2022
MLB accounts NEVER posted Freddie Freeman this much when he was a Brave.
— Leslie Mines (@LeslieMinesIII) March 23, 2022
Things Freddie Freeman didn’t say for $400, please. https://t.co/AYxI8rKUVg
— Jeff (@AlwaysOverPar) March 19, 2022
I have obtained exclusive footage of the conversation that Chipper Jones had with Freddie Freeman pic.twitter.com/KCDiTIXp3r
— dren (@dren_braves) March 18, 2022
There were many more where that came from.
Eventually, Braves fans will become numb to the fact that Freeman — the former face of the franchise — is no longer on their team. But for now, it’s fresh. Moving on isn’t easy.