GLENDALE, Ariz. -- It was a Tuesday in late March, a time when spring training is normally winding down, so the crowd at Camelback Ranch was noticeably sparse for Freddie Freeman's debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday afternoon. A "Fre-ddie!" chant materialized nonetheless, filling the Dodgers' spring training complex with a sound that was exclusive to the people of Atlanta for the last dozen years.
"Usually Dodger fans aren't chanting my name," Freeman said. "It was nice."
Freeman, a product of Orange County, has gone from tormenting his hometown team to joining them with a six-year, $162 million contract that has probably solidified the Dodgers as the fiercest offense in the sport.