Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers wrapped up an unforgettable opening weekend with a 7-3 win over the Detroit Tigers on Saturday, and no one symbolized the moment quite like Freddie Freeman. The All-Star first baseman delivered a towering home run, a double, and three RBI to lead the offense—but it wasn’t just the numbers that stood out. In a postgame interview, Freeman reflected on the emotional highs of a special weekend, the focus required to play winning baseball through it all, and the behind-the-scenes moments that made it even sweeter.
“It’s been a great weekend,” Freeman said, acknowledging the balancing act the team has had to pull off with ceremonies, celebrations, and high expectations. “You appreciate what we did last year, celebrate with our fans, and then go out there and win the games.” That’s exactly what the Dodgers have done to start the season—compartmentalize, stay sharp, and deliver when it counts.
Freeman’s bat certainly did the talking Saturday. His home run was a laser—a classic Freeman line drive that stayed true and soared. “Yeah, that was a good one,” he smiled. “The ball was in, I didn’t hook it… just some more positive signs for me.”
After admitting he’d been working on finding his swing early in the season, Freeman shared that he’s been grinding in the cage, focusing on pitch trajectory—something he typically doesn’t emphasize. “It’s against my thing,” he laughed, “but I wanted to be on more heaters and be on top of the ball.” The adjustments clearly paid off.
But Freeman didn’t just talk about his own performance—he made a point to praise the Dodgers’ bullpen, which strung together another dominant performance, just like they did so many times last October. “That’s hard to do, especially early on in the season,” he said. “We’re trying to keep guys fresh… but for them to want the ball and go out there and execute—Kirby was unbelievable, Blake, Jack… top to bottom, just an awesome job.”
That kind of leadership and humility is part of what makes Freeman such a cornerstone of this club. He also touched on the emotional highlights of the weekend, including a surprise first pitch from Dodgers legend Kirk Gibson, and the team’s effort to honor staff members with their own ring ceremony.
“It’s just been special,” Freeman said. “Smiles on your face every single day… and for us to win on these nights too, that makes it that much sweeter.”
One of the most heartwarming moments? When Freeman arranged a surprise for his 8-year-old son Charlie, letting him be his “locker mate” for the day. “That made it all worth it,” he beamed, joking that Charlie might have taken Jason Heyward’s spot as his favorite locker room companion—“Sorry, Jason.”
This weekend was about more than baseball. It was about family, celebration, and a team that knows how to keep its eyes on the prize even when the emotions are high. And with Freeman’s bat heating up and the bullpen lights-out, it looks like the Dodgers are already locked in.
Next stop? Building on this momentum—and maybe giving Charlie a few more locker room cameos along the way.
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