Freddie Freeman became the first Braves player in 21 years to earn one of Major League Baseball’s highest honors.
The Baseball Writers Association of America named Freeman the 2020 National League Most Valuable Player Thursday night.
Freeman defeated other finalists Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts and Padres third baseman Manny Machado.
He joins Chipper Jones (1999), Terry Pendleton (1991), Dale Murphy (1982, 1983), Hank Aaron (1957 in Milwaukee) and Bob Elliott (1947 in Boston) as the only Braves players to win the MVP award since BBWAA started voting on it in 1931.
A first-baseman hasn’t won the MVP Award since 2010. Freeman earned 28 out of 30 first-place votes this season.
Freeman’s previous best finish in the MVP race was fourth in 2018. He also placed 5th in 2013, 6th in 2016 and 8th in 2019.
Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu took home the American League MVP.
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During the regular season, Freeman finished at the top of nearly every offensive category. Here’s how Freeman’s regular season statistics stacked up in the MLB.
- 23 doubles: Led the majors
- 51 runs scored: Led the majors
- 53 RBIs: 3rd in the majors, 2nd in NL
- .341 batting average: 3rd in majors, 2nd in NL; also a career-best
- .462 on-base percentage: 2nd in the majors
- 73 hits: 4th in majors, 3rd in NL
Freeman’s season started off slow but by August, the Braves first baseman was a force to be reckoned with.
He posted a 18-game hitting streak from Aug. 14 until Sept. 4 and had a 12-game hitting streak from Sept. 6 through Sept. 18. Freeman knocked out his first career grand-slam during that first stretch and followed it up with his second a day and half later.
Like all MVPs do, Freeman came through when his team needed him, including the team’s first playoff series win since 2001. His walk-off in extra innings of the NL Wild Card Series in Game 1 set the tone for the postseason on the team’s way to their first NLCS in 19 years.
Freeman overcame a major obstacle before his 2020 MVP season started. Freeman tested positive for COVID-19 days before the team reported for training.
He said he had body aches, chills, loss of taste and smell and a high-grade fever over 104 degrees.
“That was the scariest night for me. I spiked to 104.5 fever,” Freeman said in July. “I said a little prayer that night. I’ve never been that hot before. My body was really, really hot. So I said ‘Please don’t take me.’ I wasn’t ready. It got a little worrisome for me that night.”
But 2020 had its share of good news for the Freeman family along with his MVP award. Freeman and his wife Chelsea are expecting twin boys in February.
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