David Freese

David Freese, born on April 28, 1983, is a former professional baseball third baseman who made a significant impact in Major League Baseball (MLB) during his career. He began his journey with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2009, quickly establishing himself as a key player. Freese's remarkable performance in the 2011 postseason, where he batted .545 with twelve hits in the National League Championship Series, earned him the prestigious NLCS MVP Award and the World Series MVP Award.

Freese's accolades did not stop there; he set an MLB postseason record with twenty-one runs batted in, and his contributions were recognized with the Babe Ruth Award, solidifying his status as the MVP of the 2011 MLB postseason. Throughout his career, he also played for the Los Angeles Angels, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Los Angeles Dodgers, showcasing his versatility and talent across multiple teams.

A standout player in high school, Freese initially declined a baseball scholarship from the University of Missouri, opting instead to take a break from the sport during his freshman year of college. However, his passion for baseball reignited, leading him to transfer to St. Louis Community College–Meramec for a season before moving on to the University of South Alabama. His professional career began when the San Diego Padres selected him in the ninth round of the 2006 MLB draft.

After being acquired by the Cardinals before the 2008 season, Freese made his MLB debut on Opening Day 2009 due to an injury to starting third baseman Troy Glaus. Despite facing injuries himself, he had a standout season in 2011, batting .297 with ten home runs and fifty-five RBIs, culminating in the Cardinals' World Series championship against the Texas Rangers. Freese's memorable walk-off home run in game six of the series was a defining moment in his career.

In the following years, Freese continued to excel, earning his first MLB All-Star selection in 2012 after batting .293 with twenty home runs. He authored a twenty-game hitting streak in 2013, but back injuries began to limit his effectiveness. After a successful tenure with the Angels, he signed with the Pirates in March 2016 and was later traded to the Dodgers in 2018. Freese ultimately retired after the 2019 season, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable achievements in baseball.