Braves' Freeman Wins NL MVP After Surviving Coronavirus

ATLANTA, GA — Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman started the season with COVID-19. He ended it as National League MVP.

The honor was announced Thursday by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, whose members gave Freeman 28 of 30 first-place votes. Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts got the other two first-place votes.

Before Opening Day, Freeman thought he might not play at all. Laid low in July with COVID-19, Freeman’s temperature hit 104.5 degrees, according to ESPN.com. Freeman became so ill, he later said, that he prayed to God not to take him.

Freeman eventually recovered. After a careful start to the season, Freeman picked up steam, batting .341 with 13 home runs and 53 RBISs, and helping the Braves to their third straight NL East title. Freeman also led both leagues with 23 doubles and 51 runs.

Freeman is the sixth different player in Braves history to win. Chipper Jones was the last Brave to win it in 1999. Two-time Braves winner Dale Murphy announced Freeman’s win on the MLB Network.

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