Although it is still more than a month and a half away, this has been the time of year when players across MLB have been announcing what country they will be representing in March’s World Baseball Classic. The United States looks to have a stacked roster, along with Team Japan and the Dominican Republic. One of the bigger storylines in recent WBCs has been Freddie Freeman representing Canada, in honor of his late mother, who is from the land up north.
On Saturday, it was announced that Freddie Freeman will not represent Canada this March and will miss the World Baseball Classic due to “personal reasons.” Freeman has played in the last two WBCs for Team Canada, and it is certainly a blow to that country’s chances, if they had any to begin with.
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Freddie Freeman OUT of 2026 World Baseball Classic
If you follow the Dodgers’ star first baseman on a semi-close basis, it makes sense as to why Freeman is choosing not to play in this year’s international event.
The details of the “personal reasons” are unclear, but Freeman injured himself last March, and had a family incident halfway through the season with his son Max, who had been enduring some immune system problems, and Freddie likely wants to soak up all the time he has with his family this offseason before what will likely be another long MLB season for Freeman and the Dodgers.
GettyFreddie Freeman (l) and Vladimir Guerrero. (r)
He has spent the last four seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but was a 14-year veteran with the Atlanta Braves before signing a six-year, $162 million deal.
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The 36-year-old Freddie Freeman is One of the Games Best
Freddie Freeman continues to torment the rest of MLB with his longevity and ability to produce at the game’s highest level for so long.
The 16-year MLB veteran has over 2,400 hits, an NL MVP, nine all-star appearances (five straight), and really appears to be getting better with age.
Freeman has led the NL in doubles four times and has black ink all over his BaseballReference.com page.
The Dodgers won their second consecutive World Series title back in early November, and while some current Dodgers players like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Mookie Betts, etc., are deciding to partake in the WBC, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ fans and organization are just fine with Freeman taking much-needed time off.
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