ATLANTA — Freddie Freeman’s eyes started moistening when he walked into the clubhouse Monday, and the tears began flowing the moment he saw Atlanta manager Brian Snitker.
It had been nearly four years since Freeman stepped into Atlanta’s home locker room.
Freeman has received ovations every time he has returned to Atlanta, even while wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform, but Tuesday night will be like nothing he ever felt before.
Freeman’s departure was tumultuous, with contract negotiations that broke down and ultimately led him to the Dodgers, but for a couple of days, one of Atlanta’s favorite sons is back at home where he spent the first 12 years of his career.
Freeman is expected to be showered with adulation the moment he’s introduced with the others in the National League starting lineup, with the sellout crowd at Truist Park giving him a standing ovation that could linger for awhile.
Freeman is already anticipating the emotions that could leave him a bubbling mess.
“I think everyone who knows me,’ Freeman says, “know I usually get emotional during these kind of things. Coming back here, it’s always very special to me.
“So, whatever emotions I feel, they usually come out, and I’m not afraid to show my emotions.’
This is Freeman’s ninth All-Star appearance, but this one will mean more than any other, playing in the ballpark that he and his Atlanta teammates helped build. Freeman was even part of the groundbreaking ceremony wearing a hard hat and holding a shovel, with pictures placed in a Truist Park time capsule.
“When they announced it was coming here a year or two ago,’ Freeman said, “I think we kind of circled that I need to play well in 2025 to get here. I’m excited. It’s always great coming back here.
“When you spend so much time like I did here in Atlanta, it’s special.’
The first time Freeman returned in 2022 after signing a six-year, $162 million contract with the Dodgers, he sat down in the interview room, looked at the familiar faces and TV cameras around him, and broke down. He walked out, composed himself and returned, speaking of his painful departure.
“I think every time I come back, I try and portray what Atlanta means to me,’ Freeman says. “It’s so special. I spent a lot of wonderful years here, winning a championship, so to play in front of these fans again, I can’t wait to be back.’’
It all began to hit him again on Monday when he walked into the National League All-Stars’ clubhouse, looked at his old locker, now occupied by Atlanta first baseman Matt Olson, and then saw Snitker.
Snitker was Atlanta’s third base coach when Freeman broke into the major leagues in 2010. Snitker returned to the minors, was invited to Freeman’s wedding, became Atlanta’s manager in 2016, and the two remain best of friends.
“To see him take over and see all of the success he’s had over the last seven, eight years, it’s special,’ Freeman says. “He means so much to me and my family. We still talk in the offseason and throughout the year, but now I get to hang out with him.’
Perhaps for the last time.
Snitker is expected to retire after the season, and Freeman — who turns 36 in September — could be following in a few years.
“I was so looking forward to being in that same clubhouse with him again,’ Snitker says. “It was pretty cool to be in that clubhouse and be reunited. He has meant so much to me, and this entire organization.
“I mean, when we were going through that rebuild, he was right there, front and center there, leading by example, and never griping about anything or what we were doing. He saw where we were and that the end result was going to be good. He had that huge impact on everybody he played with, and he’s still doing it today.
“I guarantee you this is going to be emotional, and very special for him.’
Atlanta lost at least 90 games three consecutive years from 2015-2017, but then won six consecutive division titles, including the 2021 World Series with Freeman leading the way. It wasn’t just his performance on the field, but his clubhouse leadership, holding teammates accountable. He stressed the importance of playing every day, playing at least 157 games in eight seasons, including every game three different years.
“He set the ultimate example, a Hall of Fame player that led us in all kinds of ways,’ Atlanta GM Alex Anthopoulos says. “He played the game the right way, played hurt, and was the ultimate teammate. I mean, when he came off the injured list in 2017, and saw that Matt Adams was playing well at first base, he volunteered to play third base. He did it for (16) games, just to make sure that Adams could stay in the lineup.
“How can you not root for a guy like that?’
Freeman’s teammates, including the coaching staff and manager Dave Roberts, will tell you that Freeman has been looking forward to this day since November 2023, when Major League Baseball announced that Atlanta would host the game.
It could bring closure to any open wounds that remain from his departure, with the hometown fans cheering him one last time, while on the same team as their favorite Atlanta players.
“Obviously, he loved being an Atlanta Brave,’ Dodgers All-Star catcher Will Smith says. “Fortunately for us, we got to bring him over, but you know how much it means to him every time we come back to Atlanta.’
Says Roberts: “I know once they announced that [the All-Star game] was going to be held here, it was marked on his calendar. His goal was to get back here and get in front of the Braves’ faithful that cheered him on for 11, 12 years, So he’s back sleeping in his own bed, back in his old clubhouse, and he’s excited.’’
Well, so is the entire Freeman family, with about 20 family members expected to be in attendance for the All-Star Game, knowing this will be a moment they will forever cherish.
“You never know when you’re going to make an All Star game, or whether it will be your last one,’ Freeman says. “We’re going to look around, see all of the wonderful things that I experienced on this field, our whole family experienced, and savor it all.’
The cheers will come, and the tears will follow.
“I know it’s going to be emotional,’’ Freeman says, “and, well, you know me. I’m not going to hold back.’’
Follow Bob Nightengale on X @Bnightengale.