Freddie Freeman Reflects on His Age and Audacious Remark About the Los Angeles Dodgers: “With All the Knowledge and Experience I’ve Gained, This Feels Like the Moment to Shine”
As the 2024 MLB season rolls on, Freddie Freeman, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ stalwart first baseman, finds himself at a crossroads in his career.
At 34 years old, Freeman’s career is one that has already etched its name in baseball history. With a decade of All-Star appearances, an MVP award, and a World Series title under his belt, Freeman has accumulated an impressive collection of accolades.
But as he reflects on his age and the state of his career, his latest remarks on his role with the Dodgers are anything but understated.
“With all the knowledge and experience I’ve gained, this feels like the moment to shine,” he boldly proclaimed, hinting at a renewed sense of urgency and ambition.
This audacious statement is a reflection of Freeman’s confidence, but also a recognition of the inevitable passage of time and what it means to be at the peak of one’s career.
For Freeman, the convergence of experience and maturity, paired with the ongoing pursuit of team and personal success, has led him to a pivotal moment.
But what makes his words particularly striking is the implication of a man who isn’t merely content with being an accomplished veteran. Rather, Freeman sees this as the prime opportunity to elevate his game, perhaps to new heights—both for himself and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
A Legacy of Excellence
Freddie Freeman’s journey through Major League Baseball has been one of steady excellence. Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2007, Freeman quickly rose through the ranks of their minor league system and made his MLB debut in 2010. For the better part of a decade, Freeman became the face of the Braves franchise, earning five Silver Slugger awards, three Gold Gloves, and numerous All-Star selections. In 2020, Freeman achieved perhaps the highest individual honor in the sport when he won the National League MVP award after a season in which he posted a .
341 batting average, 13 home runs, and 53 RBIs in just 60 games.
However, Freeman’s crowning achievement came in 2021 when he led the Braves to a World Series championship.
It was the culmination of years of striving for success, and his pivotal contributions were a key factor in the Braves breaking a 26-year drought without a title. After his time in Atlanta, Freeman made the move to Los Angeles in a highly publicized offseason free-agent signing in 2022, joining one of the most stacked teams in baseball. While his first season with the Dodgers saw Freeman continue to play at an elite level, it was the postseason heartbreaks that seemed to overshadow much of the team’s regular-season success.
But Freeman’s latest comments suggest that he is not done adding to his legacy.
In fact, he is just getting started in his pursuit of another championship ring—and he’s approaching it with the wisdom and focus of a seasoned veteran who understands the stakes.
The Weight of Age and Experience
In professional sports, the aging process is an inevitability. But what often differentiates great players from merely good ones as they grow older is their ability to adapt. Freeman, while not yet past his prime, is certainly in the later stages of his career. That reality has prompted him to reflect on how he can maximize his abilities in this chapter of his journey.
Freeman’s age is often cited as an asset in the sense that he brings an immense amount of knowledge to the table.
He’s seen the highs and lows of the game and has experienced the pressure of playing in both big markets and under the weight of immense expectations.
This depth of experience has made him one of the most reliable and consistent players in the league, and it’s something he is now leaning into as he seeks out the final pieces of his legacy.
As he’s aged, Freeman has become increasingly self-aware, recognizing that with each passing season, the margin for error becomes smaller. As such, he is channeling all the knowledge he’s gained—from his years of facing elite pitchers to his understanding of how to approach key situations in the postseason. That sense of perspective has given him clarity about what he needs to do to be the best version of himself, not just for his personal goals, but for the team that now relies on him.
“I’ve been in the game long enough to know what it takes,” Freeman explained recently. “I’ve seen it all—the wins, the losses, the ups and downs.
But now, I feel like I’m at the point where I can really make an impact, where all my experience will come together in a way that’s going to push me to the next level. This is my time to shine.”
While it’s common for players to reference their experience in the game, Freeman’s words come with a sense of urgency.
The Dodgers are, without a doubt, one of the best teams in baseball, but they’ve fallen short of the World Series title in recent years. Despite winning the NL West year after year and consistently boasting one of the most talented rosters in the game, postseason success has remained elusive.
Freeman’s desire to step up and play his best baseball in the most critical moments speaks volumes about his commitment to his team.
Audacious Goals and High Expectations
Freddie Freeman’s “moment to shine” remark speaks not only to his confidence but also to the broader expectations surrounding the Dodgers.
The team, a perennial powerhouse in the National League, is built to win now. While Freeman’s experience is undoubtedly valuable, he is not alone in the pursuit of a title. The Dodgers boast an impressive lineup featuring stars like Mookie Betts, Clayton Kershaw, and Will Smith, among others.
However, the presence of so many high-caliber players creates a double-edged sword. The Dodgers’ expectations are sky-high, and that’s a pressure that Freeman knows all too well.
As a leader in the clubhouse, he is expected to perform at a championship-caliber level, both on and off the field. His remark suggests that he is embracing this responsibility, stepping up to be the catalyst for his team’s postseason success.
In an environment where all eyes are on the team, Freeman’s confidence in his own ability to be the difference-maker is not just about personal glory but about the bigger picture.
“I know what’s at stake,” Freeman remarked, acknowledging that his time with the Dodgers could be a defining period in his career. “But with all that I’ve learned over the years, this is the moment I want to
