Freeman Honors Verlander On Air After Dodgers Rout Braves
Freddie Freeman paused a postgame interview Tuesday night to pay tribute to Justin Verlander, congratulating the newly retired pitcher on his career moments before answering a question about Game 3 of the National League Division Series. The Dodgers beat the Braves behind a dominant start from Yoshinobu Yamamoto and a solo home run from Freeman himself.
Verlander appeared as part of MLB on FOX's coverage of the series, joining a broadcast booth that also included Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz, Derek Jeter and Dontrelle Willis. Combined, the group has made 50 All-Star appearances over their playing careers. Verlander retired on Sept. 27 following his final major league start, a five-inning, two-run outing that ended in a win over the Orioles. He was pulled from that game by manager A.J. Hinch, who coached him in both Houston and Detroit, and the moment was capped when Verlander's daughter reached the mound before Hinch did. heroes of the storm betting
In Game 3, Yamamoto, the reigning World Series MVP, faced ten-time All-Star Chris Sale. Kike Hernández gave the Dodgers the lead with a two-run homer in the third inning, and Freeman followed two batters later with a solo shot off Sale. Yamamoto struck out 10 over seven innings, allowing just one run, to close out the victory. When Freeman joined the broadcast afterward, Verlander was set to ask the next question, prompting Freeman to interrupt first: "Hold on, 'J,'" he said, before praising Verlander's final start and career. "Congratulations, that was so awesome to watch in that final start. Congratulations on the Hall-of-Fame career. Miss you and congrats."
Verlander then asked Freeman about a hit he recorded against Sale in early September, wondering if that at-bat offered any added confidence facing the left-hander again. Freeman called Sale a future Hall of Famer and one of the game's best pitchers, describing at-bats against him as requiring a mindset of being "prepared to die" at the plate rather than bailing out of the box. Earlier in the night, Verlander had reflected on his decision to retire, saying the toll became clear in his first start of the season, when his arm held up but his leg did not. Over 21 seasons, he won two World Series titles, three Cy Young Awards and the 2011 American League MVP award, making 557 starts and throwing 3,576 2/3 innings while recording 3,560 strikeouts - a workload he said he takes more pride in than any individual honor.
The Dodgers now hold a commanding position in the series after the Game 3 win, with Yamamoto's performance and Freeman's power at the plate keeping Los Angeles on track in its pursuit of a deeper postseason run.
