Freddie Freeman expresses himself with hugs and a homer in first game vs. Braves

The strangest day of Freddie Freeman’s professional baseball career became familiar once he stepped into the batter’s box.

All the emotions — the tears, the hugs, the laughs —were pushed aside when he looked up and saw Huascar Ynoa on the mound with a baseball in his right hand Monday night at Dodger Stadium. That the Atlanta Braves, the organization he still adores, were on the other side didn’t matter. Freeman had a job to do. And on Monday, opposite his former team, the Dodgers first baseman didn’t waste time doing it well.

Freeman fouled off the first pitch he saw, a 97-mph fastball low and away, in his first career appearance against the Braves in the first inning. The second pitch was another 97-mph fastball away. It was a mistake. Freeman smashed the baseball to the opposite field 103.7 mph off the bat. It landed 386 feet away over the left-field wall for his first home run as a Dodger.

Freddie Freeman rounds first base after hitting a home run against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning Monday.

(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

Freeman’s family bounced in the suite behind home plate as he rounded the bases. He pointed to them when he crossed home plate. “Fre-ddie” chants echoed. David Price waited for him at the end of the dugout for a hug.

Freeman has been a Dodger for all of a month. His family recently found a home in Studio City and he’s still trying to figure out the best route to work. A familiar off-field routine will come with more time. On the field, the first baseman hasn’t skipped a beat.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has complimented his baserunning ability. He has impressed with his glove work. At the plate, Freeman was 13 for 39 (.333) with five walks for the season through four plate appearances Monday after a 7-4 win over the Braves.

Before the game, Freeman was a hugger, not a thumper.

One of his first hugs was for Eddie Pérez. He and the Braves coach embraced on the field before Freeman ventured into the visiting dugout and clubhouse for more embraces.

Freddie Freeman, left, hugs Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker before Monday’s game at Dodger Stadium.

(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

He hugged players. He hugged coaches. He hugged Braves manager Brian Snitker. He hugged equipment guys. He hugged Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos.

“We have about 25 hugs and about four tears shed so far,” Freeman said an hour later.

A few guys said he looked skinny. He choked up during an interview with the Braves’ sideline reporter. He greeted more Braves with side hugs and full embraces while the team took batting practice. He posed for pictures with them.

“He’s a sensitive guy,” Snitker said. “That’s who he is. That’s why we love him.”

Moments before the game, Freeman was presented with his 2021 Silver Slugger Award. During the ceremony, his five-year-old son Charlie spotted Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson across the field and scampered into his arms.

Freddie Freeman, center, poses with his family and Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker, second from right, and hitting coach Kevin Seitzer after receiving his Silver Slugger award before Monday’s game.

(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

It was the first time Freeman and his family saw his former colleagues since the club’s World Series parade in November. Five months later, after a 99-day lockout shut off the hot stove, the Braves moved on from him after 12 seasons. The divorce was messy.

Freeman claimed he was blindsided when the Braves acquired first baseman Matt Olson from the Oakland Athletics on March 14 while Freeman remained a free agent. The Braves signed Olson, a Georgia native four years younger than Freeman, to an eight-year, $168- million contract extension the next day. Anthopoulos fought back tears talking to reporters about his decision that afternoon.

A day after that, Freeman agreed to a six-year, $162-million contract to join the club the Braves have met in three of the last four postseasons. He wore a suit and a smile to his introductory news conference, but he fumed underneath. When asked about Anthopoulos’ tears, he curtly disregarded them. Hard feelings simmered. A week later, the beef was squashed during a three-hour FaceTime call.

“That was the closure I needed,” Freeman said.

Anthopoulos traveled to Los Angeles just to see Freeman on Monday. They met up in the visiting dugout. Freeman said his first words for Anthopoulos were: “Hi, world champion.”

“When I walked into the dugout, it was a huge hug and that’s what I wanted,” Freeman said. “And I think that’s what he wanted too. So obviously we’re on different sides now, but the friendship is strong.”

Anthopoulos hopped on a flight out before first pitch. So, he wasn’t around when Freeman whacked a fastball from Huascar Ynoa the other way, over the wall in left field, to give the Dodgers a lead they wouldn’t give up. The first baseman and executive will see each other again in June when the Dodgers visit Atlanta for a three-game series. The Braves plan on giving Freeman his ring then. He’s sure he’ll cry.