On Tuesday night Freddie Freeman was celebrating his 34th birthday but continues to play like a 24-year-old All-Star. The Los Angeles Dodgers took home the win over the San Diego Padres behind an early Freeman homer that put them up 3-0.
The slugger finished the night going 4-for-5 with four runs scored and two RBI in the 11-2 victory. He also notched another double and is now on pace for 60 on the season, something that hasn't been accomplished in almost 90 years. But those were hardly the highlights of Freeman's birthday festivities.
The famous mariachi band that entertains the Dodger Stadium crowd for every home game led the fans in singing happy birthday to Freeman. Everybody also had a fun time imitating his trademark dance that's taken over Dodgers celebrations when players collect big hits.
He was showered with "Freddie" chants in the top of the ninth as the Dodgers were moments away from shutting the door on their division rivals. It was a birthday to remember for one of the most decorated active players.
Dodger Stadium mariachi band singing happy birthday to Freddie Freeman is incredible
This couldn't embody Freeman's tenure as a Dodger any better. Since signing a six-year, $162 million contract (the same deal Carlos Rodón signed with the New York Yankees!), Freeman has unquestionably been one of the best and most durable players in MLB.
He's represented the Dodgers incredibly well, even with the whole Braves drama that served as a distraction in 2022 -- a season in which he led the NL with 199 hits, 47 doubles and a .407 on-base percentage, all of which were career-high marks for full 162-game campaigns.
His influence has been so impactful, as a matter of fact, that it sometimes kind of feels like he's more a Dodger than he was a Brave, even though he'll likely enter the Hall of Fame with the "A" on his cap since he spent his first 12 seasons in Atlanta and captured an MVP and World Series with the organization that drafted him.
His birthday celebration speaks to how loyal and supportive the Dodgers fan base is, too. Freeman's inherently a likable guy, so he'd get a positive reception almost anywhere, but LA fans took it to the next level showing out for the 34-year-old.
Maybe some more indelible moments like this could convince him to enter Cooperstown with a Dodgers hat, now that we think about it. Perhaps a World Series in 2023 and 2024 could start pushing us toward that conversation.