It is a bittersweet World Series experience for Atlanta Braves fans for the second year in a row. One that a season ago was highlighted by an injured Freddie Freeman's Herculean performance, which would win him World Series MVP and help give the former Atlanta first baseman his second ring. Now, the infielder is on the doorstep of winning his second straight and put on a familiar performance in Monday night's Game 3 win. After getting off to a slow start offensively, Freeman came alive at the perfect moment, ending an all-time classic in the 18th inning.
Freeman's walk-off homer will be forever iconic after one of the most impressive games in World Series history. For Atlanta fans, it is a painful reminder of just how quickly Freeman's accolades are piling up in another uniform. There is a sense of wishing Freeman well while also wanting his legacy to remain cemented in Atlanta. That is very much in jeopardy and continues to raise questions about what the franchise might've done differently if it could turn back the clock by not allowing a franchise legend to leave and perhaps changing the last years of frustration.
Ex-Brave Freddie Freeman Continues to Carve Out Impressive Dodgers Legacy
The last four seasons have quickly demonstrated exactly what Freeman brought to Atlanta's lineup. A sense of consistency and accountability that the franchise hasn't regained since parting ways with the franchise star. Egos and negotiations got in the way of getting the obvious done, resulting in the move to Los Angeles. One that now has Freeman on the doorstep of winning back-to-back titles and perhaps cementing a Dodgers' legacy that outshines that of his first franchise.
It is a difficult line to walk for a fan base that understands the need to focus on the present while also being unable to completely let go of what could've been. This wasn't a case of a player being ready to move on or an organization being nowhere close to the needed money to pay the star. We're talking about the difference of a year in negotiations and pay that could've been worked out if not for the front office quickly pivoting to Matt Olson.
This is in no way a shot at Olson, but the reality of giving up the league's best first baseman in favor of the veteran. Freeman is a star, and Monday night's heroics were a reminder of that fact. Leaving Atlanta fans nostalgic and unable to stop wondering what might have been if the franchise had simply made the right decision.