[clydepepper]

As a life-long Braves fan (EVEN in the 'dark ages'), I have a different opinion from what has been posted already:

First, there was no 'kicking to the curb'- Atlanta's offer was 5 years for $135M or $27M per season ; Dodgers just added the sixth year- 6 years for $162M - again, $27 per season.

Freddie is a California kid and will enjoy being out there.

Matt Olson is an Atlanta native and will be happy here. They locked him up for 8 years at $21M per season.

Now, right now, he's no Freddie Freeman...but he is the closest they could get.

The rankings on MLB network have Olson listed as the third best First Baseman, behind Freddie and Vlad, Jr.

My question is will the Braves retire Freeman's #5.

The organization has not shunned Freddie...he has been treated better than Hank Aaron whose #44 SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THEIR SLEEVES LAST YEAR!! THAT irked me more than anything they've done!! The BREWERS had his number on their sleeves ; The Dodgers lost Tommy and Sutton and had both of their numbers on their sleeves. The Braves didn't have Niekro's #35 on their sleeves either. All they did was have #'s 35 and 44 on the back of the batting helmets...where they were much less visible! Sure, they had #44 in the centerfield grass...but nothing for road games. They had the 150th Anniversary of the Franchise on one sleeve and, ORGINALLY, the All-Star logo on the other...but there was PLENTY of time to Pivot and honor the Franchise's greatest player in the traditional way. No Excuse! Were they pouting? SHAMEFULL!!

Rant over.



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