David Freese's journey in Major League Baseball began when he was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2006, though he never played for them. Instead, his career took a significant turn when he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2007. Freese made his MLB debut with the Cardinals in 2009, quickly establishing himself as a reliable third baseman.
Freese's career is perhaps best remembered for his extraordinary performance during the 2011 postseason. In the National League Championship Series (NLCS) against the Milwaukee Brewers, he was named the series MVP after batting .545 with three home runs and nine RBIs. However, it was during the World Series against the Texas Rangers that Freese truly shone. In Game 6, with the Cardinals facing elimination, he hit a game-tying triple in the ninth inning and later delivered a walk-off home run in the 11th inning. His heroics in Game 6 are often cited as one of the greatest moments in World Series history. Freese's performance earned him the World Series MVP award, as he batted .348 with seven RBIs over the seven games.
Following his World Series success, Freese continued to be a solid player for the Cardinals. In 2012, he was selected for the All-Star Game, further cementing his reputation as a dependable player. However, injuries began to affect his performance, and in 2013, he was traded to the Los Angeles Angels.
Freese spent two seasons with the Angels, where he continued to contribute as a steady presence both offensively and defensively. In 2015, he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he played for two and a half seasons. During his time with the Pirates, Freese was valued for his veteran leadership and ability to perform in clutch situations.
In 2018, Freese was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he played the final stretch of his career. With the Dodgers, he continued to be a valuable asset, particularly in the postseason. Freese announced his retirement from professional baseball in October 2019, concluding a career that spanned over a decade.
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