It was a weekday game in late March, a time when spring training is normally winding down, so the crowd at the Dodgers game on Tuesday was noticeably sparse. The Dodgers spring training complex was filled with a chant that was exclusive to the people of Atlanta for the past dozen years.
It was nice to hear Dodger fans chanting my name.
The Dodgers have solidified their position as the best offense in the sport after signing free agent first baseman Freddie Freeman to a six-year, $162 million contract. The man is still sorting through it all. For the first time since being a second-round draft pick by the Atlanta Braves in 2007, the first baseman is learning a new organization, meeting an entirely new set of teammates, getting to a new group of coaches and navigating through spring training in a new state.
After lining an opposite-field single and striking out in his two plate appearances against the Cincinnati Reds, the outfielder said that everything is new.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said it was easy once he was here. I think he is still trying to sift through the emotions, because you are with a team for 15 years. I know he is happy here, I know the guys are happy, and each day gets easier for him, I think.
Roberts has about a half-dozen versions of his lineup written out, but all of them have the same batting order. The only question at the top is whether Mookie Betts and Trea Turner will hit back-to-back or split up by a left-handed hitter, as they were down the stretch last year withCorey Seager.
Roberts has told the Braves that he would be comfortable hitting second, even though he has told them that he would prefer to hit in the 3 spot. He needs to reside somewhere in the lineup with only one game under his belt and opening day just 16 days away. When he hasn't seen enough live pitching, he found himself spinning off breaking balls early on.
That will be sorted out eventually.
The Dodgers lineup will be even more frightening in the future because of the presence of Freeman.
Dodgers starter Walker Buehler said after recording 14 outs and throwing 53 pitches in his spring training debut that he is glad he is not throwing to him.