Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman didn’t pull any punches after his team’s Game 3 National League Division Series win over the Braves Tuesday night, giving MLB on FOX analysts a raw look into what it’s like to face a guy like Chris Sale. This intense interview, featuring a recently retired future Hall-of-Famer, was a moment fans won’t soon forget.
Verlander’s Epic Farewell And His New Gig
Justin Verlander, fresh off the final start of his incredible career, was part of an insane MLB on FOX analyst lineup on Tuesday. We’re talking 50 All-Star appearances on that set between Verlander, Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz, Derek Jeter, and Dontrelle Willis. It’s wild to think that just nine days before, Verlander was on the mound for his last hurrah. That final start on September 27 saw him throw five innings of two-run ball, getting the win against the Orioles. But it was the moment *after* the start that was pure magic: his daughter beat manager A.J. Hinch to the mound to take him out. Verlander, a three-time Cy Young Award winner and 2011 American League MVP, had reflected before the game that the decision to retire was easy; his leg started hurting early in the season. He always said he’d play until the “wheels fall off,” and while the arm held up, the leg didn’t.
So, when Freeman joined this star-studded crew, he was genuinely surprised when it was Verlander’s turn to ask a question. “Hold on, ‘J,’” Freeman said, taking a beat. He made sure to congratulate Verlander on his Hall-of-Fame career and that memorable final start, adding, “Miss you and congrats.” It was a wholesome, respectful moment between two titans of the game.
Freeman Lays Out The Truth About Facing Chris Sale
Let’s rewind to the actual game for a second, because the Dodgers came to play. Reigning World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto started for L.A. against the Braves’ 10-time All-Star Chris Sale. Dodgers legend Kike Hernández blasted a two-run homer in the third to grab the lead, and then Freeman himself followed up two batters later with a solo shot off Sale. Yamamoto was absolutely locked in, striking out 10 batters over seven innings of one-run ball to seal the win for the Dodgers.
After all that, Verlander wanted to know about facing Sale earlier in September, when Freeman got a base hit against him. “Does that give you more confidence going into the game that that happened six weeks ago?” Verlander asked. Freeman’s response was legendary. He wasn’t shy about it, saying, “I mean, just like you, he’s going to be in the Hall of Fame. He’s one of the best pitchers in this game.” He explained that you’re just trying to hope Sale makes a mistake and you’re on time for it, calling it an “extremely hard at-bat for a lefty.” Then he dropped the bombshell: “Like I always say, against him, you got to be prepared to die. That’s the mindset. If you pull off of him, you got no chance, and he’s throwing behind you. So, if he hits you in the ear, you got to be OK with it. So, that’s kind of my mentality, and, you know, I was thankfully able to get a good swing on the ball.” Talk about respect for a pitcher!
What an interview, right? To hear that kind of raw honesty from Freeman about facing one of the best, especially with Verlander, another master of the mound, asking the questions, was just fantastic. Seeing Verlander transition from dominating on the mound to breaking down the game with such insight, and getting those genuine moments from players, is exactly why we love this game.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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