The trade for Matt Olson signaled the end of the Freddie Freeman era for the Atlanta Braves.
Olson now figures to be the Braves starting first baseman in 2022 with the Braves out of the running for their now former star first baseman.
With Atlanta no longer pursuing him, other teams have joined the Freeman sweepstakes.
When asked about Freeman’s upcoming departure, Dansby Swanson had some strong comments about his former teammate, praising Freeman for all of his work in Atlanta and also saying that No. 5, the number Freeman wore while with Atlanta, should never be worn again out of respect for their former star.
Dansby Swanson on what Freddie Freeman meant to the franchise: “I think the best way to put it is that Number 5 should never be worn again.”
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) March 15, 2022
Showing Respect
This is some high praise from Swanson, and it goes to show what he thinks about his ex-teammate.
Freeman certainly left his mark on Atlanta, and while the Braves are getting a solid piece in Olson, Swanson believes that Freeman should be the last to wear No. 5 in Atlanta, similarly to how no player has worn that exact number for the St. Louis Cardinals since the departure of Albert Pujols.
There’s no doubt Freeman will be missed in Atlanta by fans, players, and team personnel alike.
General manager Alex Anthopoulos even shed tears as he announced the trade.
It was clearly a tough day in Braves country, even with the addition of Olson.
Freeman will go down as a Braves’ legend, and even someone with the talent level of Olson can’t replace what Freeman did in Atlanta.
It’s nice to see Swanson showing respect for him by saying that no player should ever wear No. 5 in Atlanta again.
That shows the lasting impact Freeman will have on Braves country, where he’ll certainly be missed.
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