Freddie Freeman addressed reporters at the 2026 MLB All-Star media session in Philadelphia on July 13, 2026, discussing the Los Angeles Dodgers' bid to become the first team since the New York Yankees to win three consecutive World Series titles.
Freeman assessed the Dodgers' first half positively despite a difficult final weekend before the break. "When you end 25 games over .500, everyone's going to be pretty thrilled about how we played," he said. Freeman also noted the team holds an 11.5-game division lead entering the second half, adding that the pressure of chasing history reflects the quality of the roster: "no three-repeats since the Yankees. So what comes with the pressure means we've got a really good team."
Freeman identified several players set to return after the All-Star break as key reinforcements. "Kiké Hernandez is going to come back. Blake Snell is going to come back. Tyler is starting to feel better. So we've got reinforcements coming," he stated. He also praised the organization's roster-building, noting that "our ownership group puts that money right back into the team, so it's a credit to them" and the front office for assembling an all-star-caliber group. Freeman expressed particular confidence in Justin Wrobleski, who was sent down by the Dodgers early in the 2025 season after giving up seven or eight runs against the Nationals. "The strikeout totals have gone up in the last four or five starts. I feel really confident when he's on the mound now," Freeman explained, adding that Wrobleski's performance in key World Series moments was special.
Freeman also reflected on former Dodger Cody Bellinger, who previously played for Los Angeles before reviving his career with the Chicago Cubs and carrying that form over to the New York Yankees. Freeman used Bellinger's trajectory as a broader lesson: "If you have a down year it doesn't mean it's over — you can just work differently, change your mindset a little bit." He noted that Bellinger's sustained excellence over the last four years has been remarkable. Freeman expressed similar happiness for Miguel Vargas, who found his footing with the Chicago White Sox after leaving Los Angeles. "He got the runway with the White Sox and he's proving what kind of hitter he really is," Freeman mentioned. Freeman also acknowledged Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani as part of the Dodgers' roster depth heading into the second half. On the lighter side, Freeman congratulated Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Christopher Sanchez on starting the All-Star Game in front of his home fans, while acknowledging that facing Sanchez's sinker-changeup combination is "not a fun at-bat."
When asked about future seasons, Freeman made clear his singular focus: "I'm not worried about that. I'm trying to worry about getting to the playoffs and winning the World Series this year" as the Dodgers enter the second half with the largest division lead in baseball.
Freeman recalled his first All-Star appearance in 2013 in New York, describing himself at 23 as someone who felt out of place and overwhelmed by the surroundings. He credited Brian McCann, a veteran presence on the Atlanta Braves at the time, with helping him navigate that first experience. Now occupying that elder-statesman role himself, Freeman said he makes a point of advising first-time All-Stars to carve out quiet moments amid the chaos of media obligations and autograph requests, urging them to step back and appreciate how much work it took to get there before the week slips away.
On the subject of his career timeline, Freeman indicated that he has long held an informal goal of playing until age 40, which would represent roughly 20 years in the major leagues. He stopped short of committing to a firm endpoint, acknowledging that another contract would be necessary and that his focus remains on the current season. He drew a lighthearted contrast with athletes like Justin Verlander, whom he spotted in the clubhouse, making clear he has no intention of playing into his mid-40s. He described Verlander as one of the finest pitchers in the history of the game and a certain first-ballot Hall of Famer, and he spoke warmly about their long history of competition, including a memorable miked-up at-bat during the 2019 All-Star Game.
Freeman devoted considerable attention to how dramatically pitching velocity has shifted over the course of his career. He noted that when he broke into the league, average fastball velocity hovered around 91 miles per hour, whereas it now sits closer to 95 and a half — a change he described as remarkable. He acknowledged that facing elite velocity has become increasingly difficult, explaining that hitters are left with a fraction of a second to make decisions that the increased speed compresses even further. While expressing admiration for pitchers who can sustain that kind of effort while staying healthy, he admitted with some candor that he is relieved to be nearing the end of his playing days rather than facing another generation of power arms.
Freeman also spoke at length about two figures who shaped his development. He credited Ron Washington with being instrumental in his defensive growth, particularly during a mid-season position switch in 2017, and praised Washington's ability to make pregame work enjoyable while earning universal respect wherever he coaches. Freeman then turned to the passing of Bobby Cox, his first major league manager, describing him as someone who remained a supportive presence long after retiring from the dugout. Freeman called Cox a Hall of Fame figure in every sense, a man who poured himself into the game and left a lasting mark on everyone around him. He also touched on the Philadelphia atmosphere, recalling his affection for the ballpark and its passionate fans dating back to his early years with the Braves, while acknowledging that a warm reception from the home crowd was unlikely given recent history between the two clubs. He mentioned Ryan Howard as a close friend connected to his time in Philadelphia.