Emotional Freddie Freeman gets ring, ovations in return to Atlanta

ATLANTA — Freddie Freeman walked into the interview room at Truist Park on Friday afternoon and couldn't contain his emotions. He took a deep breath, turned away from the cameras, crossed his hands above his head and walked out. «Gimme a second,» he said. «Hold on.»

A few minutes later, Freeman returned and did his best to navigate an emotionally charged interview that marked his return to the place he still adores. Through quivered speech, shaky hands and welling eyes, Freeman — a lifelong member of the Atlanta Braves until singing a six-year, $162 million free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 17 — did his best to express what this city and those fans and that team still mean to him.

«I always told you guys how much I love the Braves, this city,» Freeman said. «I thought I loved this city and this organization a lot, but I think you can tell how much I truly do love this organization and this city. I don't even know how I'm gonna get through this weekend, guys, if I'm being honest.»

With only an hour left before Friday's first pitch, Freeman spent about 20 minutes signing for young Braves fans on both ends of Truist Park. The Braves played a video tribute on their giant center-field screen moments later, then Freeman spilled out of the dugout and walked towards the pitcher's mound to receive his World Series ring — the one he didn't want to see until he returned to Atlanta as a visitor — from Braves manager Brian Snitker. After a prolonged, tear-filled hug, Freeman addressed a packed stadium crowd that remained standing.

«I know I have a different uniform on,» he said at one point, «but I still love each and every one of you guys.»

Freeman had already reunited with his former teammates in L.A. two