After a sensational postseason run, the Atlanta Braves now face a stressful situation as the face of their franchise is a free agent.
Often times your best player is the team’s face of the franchise and that was true for the Atlanta Braves up until the phenom known as Ronald Acuña Jr. came onto the scene.
Let’s be clear here: both are two of the top players in baseball and in no way is this a slight to Freddie Freeman but Ronald is the more talented player. Simply put he has more tools and has/can play a premiere position.
His speed and athleticism are what nudges it out for me, a true 5-tool player who can turn the game on its head at any given moment. Both players are at their best with each other as Ronald provides the electricity and Freddie is steady (sorry) throughout the year and provides RAJ with comfort to play his game.
But what does this all mean as it comes to the face of the franchise? Well, it means that there’s more to it than talent.
There’s a deep emotional bond we have with a team’s “face”, something more than being a joy to watch. Typically it means they stuck with fans through thick and thin i.e. Freddie before this recent run.
It shows fans that the city and team mean something to the player like it means something to fans. It’s incredibly endearing to watch a young man with a bright future grow over time and commit to an organization the way Freddie has.
It also makes a run like the 2021 World Series Champion Atlanta Braves (yes, I needed to write it out) had all the more satisfying and I think the Braves ticket sales this year proved it.
The fact is that as long as Terry McGuirk— yes: Terry McGuirk — commits to winning and extends Freddie Freeman, it is Freeman who will always be the face of the franchise.
Even if in the latter years of the contract his ability deteriorates a bit more, his impact on the city is absolute and his stature would remain. The Nationals just went through this with Ryan Zimmerman, even as Juan Soto has developed into a superstar.
In the scenario that we’re all trying not to think about and Freddie Freeman wears another uniform I think it’s certainly possible Ronald Acuña Jr. becomes the face of the Atlanta Braves.
It won’t carry quite the same weight as Freddie does in the beginning because he hasn’t had the impact on the city (yet) and it will take some time to earn that cache. But with the long-term contract and undeniable ability, I think it’s highly likely.
It may also become a two-person role. The dynamic between RAJ and Ozzie Albies is truly undeniable and I think is what sets the fun-loving atmosphere we’ve all grown to love watching this recent Braves team.
It’s rare to see two people represent the face of the franchise but it’s equally rare to see two teammates be so dynamic and infectious when they’re together. Not to mention Ozzie is also locked up on a long-term deal.
Here’s to hoping it doesn’t come to this and we can get a Frederick extension sooner rather than later.
What does a player being the face of the franchise mean to you and do you think there always has to be one?