David Freese announces retirement
by Rowan Kavner
Veteran infielder David Freese, who spent the final two seasons of his 11-year Major League career with the Dodgers, announced his retirement Saturday.
In a note on social media, the 36-year-old thanked his family, friends, teammates, coaches and fans. He individually thanked the Padres, Cardinals, Angels, Pirates and Dodgers.
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“Will never stop thinking about the days I got to be around such wonderful people playing this game,” Freese wrote. “As I move forward with the next phase of my life, I am forever grateful to all of you and the game of baseball.”
Freese was drafted by the Padres in 2006 but made his Major League debut in St. Louis, where he became a postseason hero. In 2011, Freese earned World Series MVP honors when he hit 8-for-23 with five extra-base hits. Freese finished his career hitting better in the postseason (299/.370/.549) than the regular season (.277/.351/.423).
Freese hit better than .250 in each of his 11 seasons, making stops with the Angels (2014–15) and Pirates (2016–18) before joining the Dodgers in a trade for shortstop Jesus Valdez in August 2018.
Some of Freese’s best offensive baseball came with Los Angeles, posting a 1.028 OPS in his two seasons with the Dodgers. In his final season, Freese slashed .315/.403/.599 with 11 home runs.
The decision did not come as a surprise to teammates, who knew the 36-year-old with a penchant for delivering in the playoffs was likely done after the season.
“You might not play with some of these guys ever again,” Cody Bellinger said after the National League Division Series. “Some may call it a career. Saying bye to those guys is super tough.”
