NEW YORK — David Freese, who hails from the St. Louis space and is conscious of the wealthy historical past of the Cardinals’ group, has all the time felt a little bit uneasy about being lumped in with the franchise’s different legendary gamers, even when he wrote a playoff efficiency for the ages in 2011.
Although followers felt Freese was worthy of discovering a spot amongst St. Louis’ greats by fan-voting him into the Cardinals Corridor of Fame earlier this yr, he mentioned he didn’t maintain again the glory for lengthy felt unworthy after his appointment. Accordingly, in latest days, Freese knowledgeable the staff that he would decline his induction into the franchise’s Corridor of Fame. Freese was scheduled to be inducted into the Cardinals Corridor of Fame on August 19 together with participant/coach/teacher Jose Oquendo and former pitcher Max Lanier, however solely the latter two are actually inducted.
“It’s one thing I humbly considered even earlier than the voting course of started,” Freese mentioned in a press launch. “I’m conscious of the influence I’ve had in serving to the staff create nice reminiscences of the town I grew up in, together with the eleventh championship, however this honor means extra to me.
“I have a look at who I used to be throughout my time [Cardinals] tenure, and that weighs closely on me. The Cardinals and the entire metropolis have all the time had my again in each manner. I’m endlessly grateful to be a part of such a terrific group and fan base, then, now and sooner or later. I’m particularly sorry for the followers who took the time to forged their vote.
“Principally, Cardinal Nation is why I’ve sadly waited so lengthy for this choice and it has precipitated so many individuals much more complications. I’ve a powerful feeling about my choice and I perceive what individuals would possibly give it some thought. I perceive. I’ll put on it Thanks for all the time being there for me and I stay up for being across the Cardinals as we progress.”
Freese, who attended highschool in Wildwood, Missouri, and neighborhood school in Kirkwood, Missouri, hit arguably the most important World Collection residence run in staff historical past when his walk-off blast took the Cardinals previous the Rangers within the sixth sport World Collection 2011. Two innings earlier, Freese had a two-out, two-run triple on the finish of the ninth to power an additional innings. Freese is one in every of solely 9 gamers in NL/AL historical past to be named World Collection and LCS MVP in the identical yr.
In his profession with the Cardinals from 2009 to 2013, Freese averaged .286/.356/.427 (.783 OPS) in 466 video games with 81 doubles, 44 homers and 237 RBIs. In 2012, Freese hit a career-high 20 homers and 79 RBIs whereas batting .293 and incomes his solely All-Star Sport collection of his profession.
Cardinals President Invoice DeWitt III mentioned that whereas he was disenchanted that Freese turned down Corridor’s invitation, he understood the previous third baseman’s uneasiness in regards to the honor.
“Whereas we’re disenchanted that David has declined induction into our Corridor of Fame, we respect his choice and stay up for celebrating his nice Cardinals profession in different methods sooner or later,” mentioned DeWitt. “He’s all the time welcome at Busch Stadium.”
Along with inducting Oquendo and Lanier on August 19, St. Louis additionally plans to honor Scott Rolen, a member of the Cardinals Corridor of Fame and a newly elected Baseball Corridor of Famer. Rolen, a part of the Playing cards 2006 World Collection Championship staff, introduced earlier this spring that his plaque within the Baseball Corridor of Fame could be adorned with a Cardinals cap.