MLB All-Star Game 2025: Freddie Freeman comes back to Atlanta as a Dodgers icon, but remains a Brave at heart.

Freddie Freeman Returns to Atlanta as a Dodgers Star but Forever a Brave

A Journey From Atlanta to Los Angeles

Freddie Freeman first arrived in Atlanta in 2007 as a lanky 17-year-old with big dreams and a promising swing. Drafted 78th overall by the Braves out of high school in Orange County, California, he was a stranger to Georgia and its baseball culture.

Over 14 remarkable years, Freeman became the face of the Braves. With five All-Star appearances, 1,704 hits, an NL MVP award, and a World Series title, he left an indelible mark on the franchise. By the time he signed a free-agent deal with the Dodgers in March 2022, Freeman had already secured his place as one of Atlanta’s greatest heroes.

A Dual Legacy in Two Cities

Initially, Freeman’s move to Los Angeles seemed like an epilogue to his Braves story. But after his stellar performance in Dodger Blue, including a historic 2024 postseason run, he achieved something few players ever do: legendary status in two cities. Both Atlanta and Los Angeles fans celebrate his contributions with murals, tattoos, and possibly future statues.

Freeman’s All-Star selection this year — his fifth as a starter for the NL — brings him back to Truist Park, where he’s expected to receive an emotional ovation from the crowd that still holds him dear.

The Surprising Departure

Freeman’s exit from Atlanta in 2022 was anything but expected. Extension talks between his agents and Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos stalled, leading to a shocking trade for Matt Olson. Freeman, blindsided by the development, soon signed with the Dodgers for six years and $162 million.

Even as Freeman embraced his new role in Los Angeles, the sudden nature of his departure left scars. His first return to Atlanta was filled with raw emotion — tears during interviews, hugs with former teammates, and an unforgettable video tribute before his first game back.

Thriving in Dodger Blue

Three years later, Freeman has fully settled into his Dodgers career. Despite a recent slump, his clutch moments — like a walk-off grand slam in the 2024 World Series — have solidified his status as a Southern California icon.

Freeman reflected on his emotional first trip back to Atlanta, admitting it gave him closure. “I didn’t know I needed it, but I did. After that, I was able to move on and give everything to the Dodgers,” he said.

A Connection That Endures

Though Freeman’s focus is now firmly on Los Angeles, his ties to Atlanta remain. He and his wife, Chelsea, still own a home in Georgia, and their son Max carries the middle name Turner, in honor of the Braves’ former stadium.

As Freeman takes the field for the All-Star Game in Atlanta, the cheers from Braves fans will be a reminder: while he’s become a Dodgers legend, Freddie Freeman will always be a Brave at heart.