Los Angeles Dodgers initially baseman Freddie Freeman is representing Canada in the Planet Baseball Classic this year, regardless of becoming born and raised in California. But for Freeman, the choice to play for Canada suggests a thing particular.
In an interview posted by the Dodgers on Monday, Freeman explained that each his parents had been born in Canada — his father in Ontario and his mother, Rosemary Freeman, in a city just outdoors of Toronto.
Freddie Freeman #five of the Los Angeles Dodgers appears on in the course of a game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Katharine Lotze/Getty Photos)
At age ten, Freeman tragically lost his mother to skin cancer.
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“I played for Group Canada for a extremely heartfelt cause for me and my loved ones,” an emotional Freeman mentioned.
“I do not know if this is what she would want me to do but in my heart, it is what I really feel I should really do. That is the cause I play [in Canada], it is to honor my mom.”
Freddie Freeman #five of Group Canada scores a run in the third inning in the course of Game three of Pool C amongst Group Fantastic Britain and Group Canada at Chase Field on Sunday, March 12, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB Pictures by way of Getty Photos)
The 33-year-old infielder went on to say that Dodgers’ fans may well be shocked to find out about the tiny “issues” he does in each and every game to honor her memory, like wearing sleeves since she passed away from skin cancer and wearing a necklace with a lock of her.
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“So Dodgers fans, when you get to know me, fairly substantially every little thing I do is for my mom and this is what I really feel is ideal.”
He continued: “I know a lot of folks do not realize. I was born in California, I know I was. But in my heart, honoring my mother and playing for Group Canada for me, is the ideal choice.”
Freddie Freeman #five of Group Canada appears on prior to Game six of Pool C amongst Group Canada and Group USA at Chase Field on Monday, March 13, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB Pictures by way of Getty Photos)
“I just hope she’s proud of me. Twenty-3 years it in no way goes away. That is all I want. I hope she’s smiling down.”
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Though Freeman’s teammates would undoubtedly choose to have him in their dugout, it is a choice they respect.
“That describes what Freddy is all about,” six-time All Star Mookie Betts mentioned, by way of ESPN. “And if I get on initially base, yeah, we’ll have some entertaining. Freddie and I have that bond, but that bond with a mom is particular.”
