The fifth day of Spring Training games began with some added excitement on Tuesday when first baseman Freddie Freeman made his Dodgers debut against the Cincinnati Reds at Camelback Ranch – Glendale.

Having just signed with Los Angeles on a six-year/$162 million contract, Freeman joins an already elite roster. Still, he sports quite the baseball resume himself. He is a 2018 National League Gold Glove winner, five-time National League All-Star, and 2020 National League MVP. Last season alone, he had a .300 batting average with 31 home runs, 83 RBIs, and a .896 OPS. Add to that being a career .295 hitter who promises to only keep getting better.

Freeman batted third in the lineup Tuesday afternoon, walking up to his first at-bat in Dodger Blue to loud cheers and chants of “Fred-die, Fred-die, Fred-die” from the crowd.

The plan was for the 32-year-old Villa Park, CA native and second round draft pick in 2007 by the Atlanta Braves out of El Modena High School in Orange, CA to get in at least two at-bats during the game, which he did.

In his first at-bat as a Dodger in the bottom of the first inning, Freeman lined a two-out single to left field. When his spot in the lineup came around again in the third inning, he grounded into a fielder’s choice, with Dodgers shortstop Trea Turner being forced out at second base. Freeman came out of the game in the top of the fifth inning, being replaced by utility infielder/outfielder Matt Beaty.

“It was exciting, it was,” Freedman told reporters postgame when asked what it was like walking up to the plate for the first time in a Dodgers uniform. “A new chapter, the fans chanting my name, definitely very nice. Usually, Dodger fans aren’t chanting my name over the last 12 years, so that was nice. It was just a good day.”

“It was good, his whole family was here,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told SportsNet LA’s Kirsten Watson after the game. “I know there were some like nerves, there was some kind of emotions as far as the first game in another uniform. It’s been 15 years for him, so, for him to get that first base hit I think was huge. So, we got him a couple at-bats, got his feet wet a little bit, and got him out of there.”

“It was a big day for our family. Everyone who was in town was able to be here today and support me, so that was nice,” Freeman said when asked about his eight family members being among the Camelback Ranch crowd of 4,822 on Tuesday.

“What a great organization. They’ve been very welcoming and let me get my bearings here. It’s been a great five days so far,” he added.

Freeman’s “new chapter” is a new chapter for the Dodgers as well, as they head into the 2022 season with their high-caliber roster. As you would expect, most Dodgers fans are eagerly looking forward to Opening Day just around the corner on April 8 against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Dodgers home opener will be on Thursday, April 14, against the Cincinnati Reds.

You can bet there will be a lot more “Fred-die, Fred-die, Fred-die” at that one.

“It’s Time For Dodger Baseball!“

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