It was an unexpectedly short exit for the Los Angeles Dodgers after their stunning loss in the NLDS to the Washington Nationals, which signaled a quick end to the major league career of third baseman David Freese. The former St. Louis Cardinal announced his retirement after spending 11 seasons in Major League Baseball. The highlight of his career was the 2011 season with the Cardinals, when they won the World Series over the Texas Rangers. Freese was named the World Series MVP that season, highlighted by his walk-off home run in extra innings to force a decisive Game 7 in that series.
The 36-year-old made his announcement on Twitter Saturday afternoon, just three days after his team was eliminated from the Postseason with a Game-5 loss in 10 innings at Dodger Stadium. He is exiting the league in high spirits, stating "I will never stop thinking about the days I got to be around such wonderful people playing the game."
The third baseman, who also played some first base, was a career .277 hitter, but was even better in the Postseason with an average of .299. He also spent some time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but the final two seasons of his career were with the Dodgers, including one other World Series appearance, but this one a loss to the Boston Red Sox last season.
His final appearance came in Game 5 last Wednesday, as he struck out as a pinch-hitter in the eventual 7-3 defeat. His 2011 World Series was remarkable overall, as he hit .348 with three doubles and seven RBIs in that series, while driving in an MLB record 21 runs throughout that entire Postseason.
This past season saw him bat .315 with 11 home runs and 29 RBIs over 75 games, still producing on his way out, as he had even had two home runs in last year's World Series. Freese was originally drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2008, but was quickly dealt to the Cardinals. It's scary to think there was a point in high school that he quit the sport after feeling burned out, and now he is retiring with his name forever etched in MLB history.
The 36-year-old made his announcement on Twitter Saturday afternoon, just three days after his team was eliminated from the Postseason with a Game-5 loss in 10 innings at Dodger Stadium. He is exiting the league in high spirits, stating "I will never stop thinking about the days I got to be around such wonderful people playing the game."
The third baseman, who also played some first base, was a career .277 hitter, but was even better in the Postseason with an average of .299. He also spent some time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but the final two seasons of his career were with the Dodgers, including one other World Series appearance, but this one a loss to the Boston Red Sox last season.
His final appearance came in Game 5 last Wednesday, as he struck out as a pinch-hitter in the eventual 7-3 defeat. His 2011 World Series was remarkable overall, as he hit .348 with three doubles and seven RBIs in that series, while driving in an MLB record 21 runs throughout that entire Postseason.
This past season saw him bat .315 with 11 home runs and 29 RBIs over 75 games, still producing on his way out, as he had even had two home runs in last year's World Series. Freese was originally drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2008, but was quickly dealt to the Cardinals. It's scary to think there was a point in high school that he quit the sport after feeling burned out, and now he is retiring with his name forever etched in MLB history.
