Anthony Rizzo, Freddie Freeman are the World Series warriors connected by one ridiculous at-bat

LOS ANGELES — In their astir celebrated erstwhile matchup, Freddie Freeman already was 4-for-4 pinch 2 singles, a double and a homer connected April 28, 2021, and his Braves were starring by 10 complete Anthony Rizzo’s Cubs.

Yet some — not conscionable Freeman — were each smiles, arsenic pinch 1 retired and 1 connected successful nan seventh, Rizzo prepared to … hold for it … transportation to Freeman.

Rizzo wanted nan shot and this matchup to supply a ray infinitesimal successful a blowout. With a 2-1 count, Freeman fouled 1 off, and that only further tickled some men — and everyone other watching. Could Rizzo really onslaught retired nan reigning NL MVP, arguably nan champion axenic hitter successful nan sport?

Rizzo threw a 61 mph curve that slow, slower, slowest collapsed toward nan extracurricular corner. Freeman flailed futilely. A mates of preeminent 31-year-old lefty-hitting first basemen pinch communal respect cracking up erstwhile much arsenic Freeman retreated to nan dugout and Rizzo to first guidelines arsenic different position player, Matt Duffy, came successful to pitch. On a disappointing Cubs team, Rizzo was soon en way to nan Yankees astatine nan waste and acquisition deadline; Freeman connected nan measurement to a Braves title and past a free-agent signing that offseason pinch nan Dodgers.

They will meet pinch truthful overmuch much astatine liking now — which is why they will really meet. If this were April again … aliases May aliases June aliases July … some would beryllium connected nan injured list. Rizzo still has fractures of his 4th and 5th fingers of his correct hand that were suffered nan next-to-last time of nan regular play and kept him retired of nan Division Series. Freeman incurred a terrible correct ankle sprain Sept. 26 that hobbled him successful and retired of nan Dodger lineup done 2 rounds.

Both noted nan period and meaning connected why they were successful nan lineup — each astatine first, Rizzo batting sixth, Freeman 3rd — and not connected nan IL erstwhile nan 120th World Series began Friday night.

When I asked each nan sentiment of nan other, nary astonishment wherever Freeman began pinch yet different smile: “I’m still huffy astatine him for striking maine out.” When I wondered (kidding, of course) if nan Yankees went to a bullpen crippled if he could expect to spot Rizzo, Freeman joked, “He’s coming for maine for sure. But he did opportunity he is done pitching because he wants to extremity connected top.”

Turning serious, Freeman offered: “We’ve been playing against each different a agelong time. … You conscionable go communal friends and respect each different and really he goes astir their business. I mean, Anthony’s playing pinch 2 surgery fingers — there’s a batch of guys that are battling injuries, and he’s evidently sewage immoderate surgery fingers, and he’s going retired location and giving it his all.”

Rizzo offered: “I emotion [Freeman]. I consciousness for illustration for my full career, Freddie and Paul Goldschmidt were nan modular of [first basemen] that I looked up to. [Joey] Votto, [Albert] Pujols and Miggy Cabrera were older than us. … I spot him hobbling astir and putting successful each nan work, particularly pinch everything he went done pinch his son, Max,” — Freeman’s 3-year-old, who was connected a ventilator for a fewer days successful July owed to paralysis caused by a uncommon nervus upset — “I’m judge that was not easy for him and his wife. So conscionable a batch of admiration for him.”

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The first clip that Rizzo (Padres) and Freeman (Braves) faced each different successful nan fields was June 24, 2011 — nan time aft nan Cavaliers took Kyrie Irving No. 1 wide successful nan NBA draught — some hitting 5th and playing first. Later, Rizzo was nan third-place hitter connected nan 2016 champion Cubs, Freeman nan second-place hitter connected nan 2021 champion Braves. Rizzo has had a profession that lands a subordinate connected a Hall of Fame ballot; Freeman is connected a trajectory to a Cooperstown plaque.

And neither really should beryllium playing successful this World Series. But, of course, they should. Because this is nan World Series. Not April, May aliases June.

Rizzo reached guidelines successful 8 of 16 sheet appearances successful nan ALCS but pinch conscionable 1 extra-base hit. Nevertheless, he insisted he tin deduce powerfulness moreover pinch nan damaged fingers. The four-time Gold Glove winner, besides dealing pinch a chronic backmost issue, really looked acold much compromised connected defense. Freeman has conscionable not appeared his hitting savant aforesaid done 2 rounds, pinch 7 singles and six strikeouts successful 32 at-bats (.219 average).

Freeman did not commencement Division Series Game 4 against nan Padres and past faced neither lefty Jose Quintana nor Sean Manaea successful NLCS Games 4 and 6 earlier 4 off-days. Time to heal. Still, each that 1 of nan Iron Men of this era promised was Game 1 — and past to spot really he feels for lefty Carlos Rodon successful Game 2 and thereafter.

This is nan conflict now for a mates of grizzled first basemen against property and pain. Fewer grins and much grit.

“If it’s June and you’re pushing done thing that arguably needs a batch of rest, you’re doing a disservice to yourself agelong word and nan team,” Rizzo said. “A shorter word sprint for illustration this, pinch nan adrenaline, nan magnitude, you time off it each connected nan line, and past there’s … months to heal successful nan offseason. With his ankle, pinch my hand, this is nan dream — to play successful nan World Series. So if you tin play, you play.”