Freeman's 'Twins With A Twist' Delays Arrival At Spring Training

ATLANTA — Braves first baseman and National League MVP Freddie Freeman will be late again for spring training — but for an entirely different reason this year than last.

On Sunday, Freeman and his wife Chelsea announced what they called “twins with a twist”: Brandon John, born Dec. 30, and Maximus Turner, born via surrogate on Valentine’s Day.

Last year before the start of the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Freeman missed training with a case of COVID-19 so brutal that he prayed for God not to take him.

Freeman eventually recovered and helped lead the Braves to within one game of an appearance in the World Series. And with two new sons, the blessings continue for Freeman.

Even though the Freemans already had one son, 4-year-old Charlie, they began exploring options when doctors expressed doubt that Chelsea could conceive again.

"We tried for a couple of years, and it didn't happen. We were talking with doctors, and they suggested surrogacy,” Freeman told ESPN. “We jumped at that, because we wanted to be blessed with more kids."

So they hired a surrogate last spring — just as Chelsea herself became pregnant.

“We’re going to be tired for 25 years,” Freeman said.

Braves manager Brian Snitker told ESPN he was fine with Freeman coming in a few days late because he normally swings well at the start of training “and then gets bored for 10 days.”

The Braves will begin their 2021 regular season in Philadelphia on April 1.

Officially a family of five pic.twitter.com/jAorRj3pFr
— Chelsea Freeman (@chelseafree5) February 21, 2021

Read about the Freemans' new sons on ESPN.com.

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