The Los Angeles Dodgers secured their second consecutive victory against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday, but manager Dave Roberts expressed his displeasure with Freddie Freeman’s decision during the fourth inning.
Freeman was thrown out attempting to steal second base, a move that was not only unsuccessful but also unauthorized by Roberts. “I didn’t like that,” Roberts stated.
The incident occurred with two outs and Freeman on first base, with the Dodgers leading 5-2 after the Rockies scored two runs in the top of the fourth. Freeman’s attempt to get into scoring position was cut short, drawing the manager’s concern.
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“He’s competitive and thought he had a chance to steal a base, give us a four-run lead. But I just think right now we’ve got to make sure we manage his workload and health,” Roberts explained. “I just want to make sure we try to keep him as healthy as possible, so I don’t think we’ll be seeing him steal many bases in the near future.”
This isn’t the first instance of Roberts discussing his stance on Freeman’s base-stealing. Just last Friday, upon Freeman’s return from a brief absence, Roberts was clear about Freeman’s green light on the basepaths. “No,” Roberts said. “It’s just red as red can be. Fire engine red.”
Freeman’s intense competitive drive is a constant presence, making it challenging to suppress certain aspects of his game in the interest of preserving health. However, given Freeman’s significant impact on the team’s success, Roberts’ perspective stems from a place of caution.
Last season, Freeman stole only nine bases while managing various ailments, a considerable drop from his career-high 23 stolen bases the previous year. Freeman’s legs are a crucial part of his overall game, but they are also a source of concern for his manager.
It’s undeniable that the Dodgers’ chances of winning the 2024 World Series would have been significantly diminished without Freeman in the lineup. In the context of an early-season game and following a recent tweak to his surgically repaired ankle, Roberts’ comments don’t carry a critical tone.
Instead, Roberts’ primary concern is ensuring Freeman’s availability on the field as much as possible, which necessitates a more conservative approach on the basepaths.