Former Major League Baseball star David Freese has declined a place in the St. Louis Cardinals ' Hall of Fame - as self-reflection on his time at the franchise "weighs heavily" on him.
Freese was set to be included in the Cardinals’ 2023 class set to be inducted in August alongside former pitcher Max Lanier and player-turned-coach Jose Oquendo. But the 40-year-old turned down the honour and has now released a statement explaining his decision.
Freese has openly discussed his struggles with depression and anxiety during his tenure with the Cardinals. He was traded to the Los Angeles Angels in 2013 after five years in St. Louis before playing for both the Pittsburgh Pirates and LA Dodgers before retiring in 2019.