Braves: How fans should act in Freddie Freeman’s return

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman will be receiving his 2021 Atlanta Braves World Series ring on Friday night.

It will be a very emotional evening at Truist Park on Friday night, as the Atlanta Braves will host Freddie Freeman and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Freeman was long thought to be the heir apparent to Chipper Jones in Atlanta. Though he first built his Hall-of-Fame case in front of Braves Country, Freeman will now have to build on it while wearing Dodger Blue, should he want to be enshrined in Cooperstown. As one of the best players of his generation, his breakup with the Braves was so awkward. Friday night may be more of that.

Regardless of how you feel about Freeman’s Atlanta departure, here is how Braves Country should conduct itself when their former franchise cornerstone receives the 2021 World Series ring he absolutely earned.

How Atlanta Braves fans should act during Freddie Freeman’s Truist Park return

One would expect most of the fans in attendance will give Freeman the respect he earned over the previous decade and change. He will, in all likelihood, be greeted with a standing ovation by Braves Country. While Freeman may not garner the same sort of universal praise like when former Braves Jorge Soler and Joc Pederson got their rings, there is no reason to boo the man in his big moment.

Expect for shortstop Dansby Swanson and manager Brian Snitker to be among the people who will present Freeman his World Series championship ring. If general manager Alex Anthopoulos is down on the field during the presentation, that would make it even better. Atlanta does not need to retire the No. 5 right this instant, or invite him to a cook out, but pay the man his damn respect.

The Braves have long viewed themselves as a first-class organization. They have one of the best fan bases in all of MLB. It would be a shame if a few bad seeds in the crowd disrupted this special ceremony because of their own hubris. No, you do not have to cheer like you did in front of the TV when Freeman went yard in Game 6 in Houston, but be so proud of what he meant for this team.

After showing Freeman the respect he deserves, feel free to heckle the Dodgers and kick L.A.’s ass.