Baseball Reference, the modern-day statistical keeper of the game’s history, has Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman compared to some impressive names at the same point in their careers – age 33. Among the top 10 names: Eddie Murray, Rafael Palmeiro, Orlando Cepeda, Carl Yastrzemski, Al Kaline, Billy Williams, Jeff Bagwell.
That’s impressive company. All but Palmeiro are Hall of Famers.
As he and the Dodgers approach a highly-anticipated year highlighted by the addition of Shohei Ohtani, the daily DH who also happens to be the reigning Most Valuable Player in the other league, Freeman – who enters the season at 34 - ranks second among all active players in hits and batting average. The 2020 National League MVP is coming off a 59-doubles season, which ranks in the all-time top 10 single-season leaders.