Sometimes baseball can be so poetic even when it isn’t trying to be. Sunday night was one of those times.
The weekend series between the Dodgers and Braves was an obviously emotional time for Freddie Freeman. The first baseman had spent 12 years in Atlanta, won a World Series and then saw the Braves trade for his replacement (Matt Olson) amid stalled contract negotiations. In his return to Atlanta, Freeman received his World Series ring, had a teary pregame press conference and a standing ovation in his first at-bat.
But come Sunday, he was just another Dodgers player. And he happened to be on the receiving end of Olson’s celebration at first base.
MATT OLSON MY BELOVED pic.twitter.com/mIHGWb5ZoK
— becca ⚾️ (@babypitcherszn) June 27, 2022
Shortly after Freeman gave the Dodgers a 10th-inning lead, Olson tied the game back up with a single of his own. As Olson was on first base, he turned to the Braves dugout and did the customary “sword” celebration. His arm swing caught Freeman, and the awkwardness was too perfect.
Matt Olson accidentally hits Freddie Freeman on purpose after sword slashing. pic.twitter.com/LhMO4Wznb9
— Baseball GIFs (@gifs_baseball) June 27, 2022
“Ohhh, my bad,” Olson appeared to say. Sure, Matt. Sure.
As emotional as the weekend had been for Freeman, it had to be *that* uncomfortable for Olson. So, who could blame him for ignoring his spatial awareness there? Even if it was an accident (it probably was), MLB fans found the whole sequence hilarious.
