The Los Angeles Dodgers won franchise-record 111 games this season, with a big part of their success belonging to the dynamic trio of Mookie Betts, Trea Turner and Freddie Freeman at the top of the lineup.
Betts and Freeman are former MVP winners, and Turner is the reigning National League batting champion, but that hasn’t stopped them from giving hitting advice with each other.
That of course extended beyond the three stars and permeated throughout the entire Dodgers lineup by shifting their in-game mindset to at-bats.
Freeman believes conversations amongst players have been more beneficial than solely relying on reviewing video on permitted iPads in the dugout to gameplan and adjust against a pitcher, via Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
“We talk amongst ourselves instead of looking at an iPad and thinking, ‘Oh, our hands are here, but two days ago they were here,’” Freeman said. “Like, that means nothing. We’re always going to feel different and always going to do things differently. Every day, you’re not going to feel the same. But when we have conversations and game plans, I think it takes a load off.
“When you’re trying to do it all yourself, it usually doesn’t work. When you know you have trust and a conversation with your teammates, that’s huge … it frees you.”
As Betts struggled at the beginning of the year, Freeman and Turner encouraged him to be more aggressive early in the count, and it helped unlock his swing. The three have shared tips with each other ever since.
Betts went on to finish with a career-high 35 home runs in one of his more productive seasons since being traded to the Dodgers.
Meanwhile, Freeman led baseball in hits and along with Betts, is one of the National League finalists for a 2022 Hank Aaron Award.
Freddie Freeman: ‘very meaningful’ winning Roy Campanella Award with Dodgers
Freeman was the recipient of the 17th annual Roy Campanella Award, which is given to one player from the Dodgers who best exemplifies the spirit and leadership of the late Hall of Fame catcher.
“Very meaningful. Anytime you get voted any kind of award by your own teammates and staff, it’s very meaningful,” Freeman said of receiving the honor.
“I’ve tried to make the most of my first year here and try to impact where I can. For this to be awarded to me, stand in front of these guys and give a speech, it means a lot. It means a lot that they view me as that. I’m just happy to be here.”
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