David Freese Declines HOF Entry
Jeff Robinson / Associated Press (Getty Images)
October 27, 2011, a date that will live in the hearts and minds of both St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers fans. A home run into center by the hometown kid David Freese sent the Cardinals to gave seven where they eventually took the title 6-2. His 21 RBIs became a new record for the postseason along with hitting a .371 batting average, he rightfully deserved both MVP of the NLCS and World Series. However, it came as a great surprise when David Freese who had been voted in by the fans, into the Cardinals Hall Of Fame this past offseason, decided to decline the induction.
His tenure began as a fringe prospect for the San Diego Padre before being traded to the Cardinals for another legend of the team, Jim Edmonds, back in 2008. From 2009 to 2013, he batted .286 with 44 home runs and 237 RBIs. Respectable numbers, not to the levels of Scott Rolen or Albert Pujols, but this entry was for the fans, who wanted to shower him with the praise and glory that he gave to the fans that autumn night.
After a rough 2013, he was traded to the Los Angeles Angels and later signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where on May 7th, 2016 he returned to thunderous applause.
Every time he came to Busch Stadium he would always receive the same standing ovation for his impact during that 2011 postseason. However, he looked upon his contemporaries and as Derrick Goold of St. Louis Post-Dispatch quotes, “did not feel deserving”.
“Although we are disappointed that David has declined to be inducted into our Hall of Fame, we respect his decision and look forward to celebrating his great Cardinals career in other ways going forward.”
David Freese retired in 2019 after a year and a half with the Los Angeles Dodgers. All told he walked away with 113 home runs, 535 RBIs, a respectable .277 average, and one all-star nod back in 2012. While remaining humble to his St. Louis fans, he will always be remembered for his two swings one autumn night in 2011.
