Braves star Freddie Freeman thanked fans for 15 years of memories in a social media post recently as the team signed on first baseman Matt Olson to fill his spot.
The first baseman took to Instagram, reflecting on the last decade and a half playing in his hometown and describing how fans were able to watch him grow from a "baby faced kid" to a married man and a father of three, the Braves said on their site. He said he always put forth all of his effort when playing and thanked fans and staff for making the Braves' home fields a special place for his family during his time with the team.
"I don’t even know where to begin," Freeman said on Instagram. "For the past 15 years I got to be apart of your organization. It was truly an honor. We went through the very highs together and some lows but those lows is what made last year so special."
A second-round pick in the 2007 MLB Draft, Freeman was a five-time All-Star in his 12 seasons with the team, the Braves said.
Freeman departs Atlanta at 32 years old, ranking on the team's all-time top-10 lists for hits, with 1,704 for seventh place; home runs, with 271 for sixth place; and Baseball-Reference wins above replacement, with 43.1 for sixth place, the Braves said.
Among those believed to be bidding for Freeman are the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays, the Braves said.
"Although our time has come to an end, I look forward to seeing and playing in front of you all again," Freeman said on Instagram. "When that time comes, I hope you remember all the wonderful memories we made together. I love you Braves Country! Champions Forever!"
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