Despite presence of Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts in Dodgers lineup, MLB vet hails Freddie Freeman with Orioles legend comparison

MLB: World Series-Los Angeles Dodgers at New York Yankees - Source: Imagn

Despite presence of Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts in Dodgers lineup, MLB vet hails Freddie Freeman with Orioles legend comparison – Source: Imagn

The top of the LA Dodgers’ lineup is formed with three former MVPs in Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman. While Ohtani and Betts often catch praise, it was Freeman who got the praise from MLB veteran Bill Ripken this week.

Freeman has been a staple in the Dodgers’ lineup and has come up good for them on numerous occasions, especially after his World Series heroics against the New York Yankees last season.

Ripken broke down Freeman’s fundamentally sound approach on MLB Network, saying:

“No disrespect to (the likes of Ohtani or Betts) because these guys are great, but I do believe that this dude, and you see him and what he’s done in the postseason for a couple different teams — Atlanta and everything else — and the Dodgers, look at this. I mean, is this just crazy?

“So let’s just give Freddie some love for what he was able to do. This man knows how to hit. He’s not gonna punch—he knows how to put the ball in play. That is just tremendous.”

Ripken also drew a direct comparison to Orioles Hall of Famer Eddie Murray —nicknaming the Dodgers star “Steady Freddie.”

“I’ve got to give Freddie Freeman some love,” Ripken added. “It reminded me a little bit of my yesteryear days when I first came up to the big leagues. There was this dude in Baltimore named Steady Eddie—and I call him Steady Freddie. I hope Eddie doesn’t get upset about me comparing anybody to him, but look at Ed—anytime.

Freddie Freeman breaks home run record against the Marlins

On Tuesday, the Dodgers’ first baseman hit his eighth home run of the season in the top of the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins. The home run was Freddie Freeman’s 42nd long hit against the Marlins, breaking Ryan Howard and Ryan Zimmerman’s record for most home runs against a single franchise.

38 of his 42 home runs came off as a member of the Braves.

Freeman is enjoying a good season, hitting .352 along with eight home runs and 30 RBIs.