Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves. (Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports)
Freddie Freeman is truly humbled after winning NL MVP for the 2020 MLB season.
Freddie Freeman is struggling to find the right words to say what it means to win NL MVP.
The first baseman of the Atlanta Braves has been the franchise cornerstone since his mentor Chipper Jones retired after the 2012 MLB season. Freeman has been through Atlanta’s biggest rebuild since the late 1980s. At 31-years-old, he can now say he is NL MVP. With championship aspirations on his mind for 2021, Freeman wanted to thank Braves Country for all the nice words.
“I am still at [a] loss for words,” wrote Freeman over Twitter. “To be honored with the 2020 NL MVP is absolutely amazing. I’ve never played this game for awards but to be recognized in this way was truly humbling.”
“My family and I want to thank all of you for the kind words we have received the last couple [of] days. Now it’s time to get ready for the 2021 season and start the journey to get the big prize and bring Atlanta a World Series championship. Go Braves!”
A World Series Championship is what is on all of Braves Country’s mind
It may have only been a 60-game season, but Freeman’s MVP campaign was spectacular. He contracted the virus shortly before the start of the season. He could have easily opted out of the season, but preserved and was the driving force behind the Braves’ best season since 2001. They were within one game of reaching the World Series for the first time since 1999.
In 60 games, Freeman slashed .341/.462/.640 with 13 home runs and 53 runs batted in. He led the league with 51 runs scored and 23 doubles. Freeman took home his second consecutive Silver Slugger at first base, being the focal point of one of the most prolific offenses in Atlanta history. The Braves have four Silver Sluggers in 2020 and nearly had the makings of a championship team.
Now that the Braves have gotten the proverbial monkey off their back by finally advancing in the postseason for the first time in 19 years, Atlanta must get back to the NLCS and do everything in its power to reach the Fall Classic. Back-to-back MVP seasons do not feel likely for Freeman, but he has emerged as one of the five best players in the league today. His honor was well-deserved.
A World Series championship will help Freeman eventually get a bronze plaque in Cooperstown.