Freeman Plays Ball With Team Canada
The World Baseball Classic began on Monday with Israel stealing the show early. They won their first two games and have a pretty good shot at advancing already. The Atlanta Braves are sending a few players to participate in the WBC, one of which is star first baseman Freddie Freeman.
The 2017 World Baseball Classic will be Freeman’s first and will be playing for a country in which he’s never lived in. Freeman is able to play for Canada because both his mom and dad are from there.
Team Canada’s first official game isn’t until Thursday, but the team organized an exhibition game prior to the WBC starting. On Tuesday, Canada took on the Toronto Blue Jays.
Freddie started at first base on Tuesday and went 0-3 at the plate. He batted in the four spot behind Dalton Pompey, Justin Morneau and Tyler O’Neill. He gave Team Canada an early 1-0 lead with
In the top of the first inning, with runners on first and third, Freeman hit a sharp ground ball to second base. Though he hit into a fielder’s choice, he was able to give Canada an early 1-0 lead with the RBI.
Freddie also made one heck of a defensive play at first base in the bottom of the second inning. A slow hit ball was hit to shortstop Jonathan Malo, he came up firing, but it brought Freeman off the bag at first base. Instinctual, Freeman came off the bag and made the tag on Justin Smoak.
Thursday, Canada will take on the stacked team of the Dominican Republic. The team is just ridiculous and probably a favorite on paper. The lineup consists of Jose Reyes, Manny Machado, Robinson Cano, Jose Bautista, Carlos Santana, Nelson Cruz, Starling Marte, Gregory Polanco and Welington Castillo. Good luck Canada, eh!
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On Saturday, Freeman and Canada take on Julio Teheran and Team Colombia. That should be a fun matchup to watch.
Freeman spoke about his most favorite memory of his mother, how his father is his “rock” and why his dad never coached him during little league.