David Freese Turns Down Hall of Fame…

[HanfordGuy]

St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/06/17/david-freese-declines-induction-cardinals-hall-of-fame/70333381007/
 

Why David Freese is declining induction into St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame
 

David Freese, who became a St. Louis Cardinals legend with his performance during the 2011 postseason, is declining induction into the team's Hall of Fame.

"This is something that I have given an extreme amount of thought to, humbly, even before the voting process began," Freese, who was initially elected to the Cardinals Hall of Fame via fan vote, said in a statement. "I am aware of the impact I had helping the team bring great memories to the city I grew up in, including the 11th championship, but this honor means more to me.

“I look at who I was during my tenure, and that weighs heavily on me. The Cardinals and the entire city have always had my back in every way. I’m forever grateful to be part of such an amazing organization and fan base then, now and in the future. I’m especially sorry to the fans that took the time to cast their votes."

Freese, who grew up in Missouri, was slated to be inducted into the 2023 class in August, alongside former pitcher Max Lanier and José Oquendo, a longtime Cardinals player-turned-coach. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Freese told the Cardinals he was "honored" and "humbled" by the fans voting him in, but he turned down the invite because he did not feel "deserving."
"Cardinal Nation is basically the reason why I’ve unfortunately waited so long for this decision and made it more of a headache for so many people," Freese said. "I feel strongly about my decision and understand how people might feel about this. I get it. I’ll wear it. Thank you for always being there for me, and I am excited to be around the Cardinals as we move forward.”

Freese became a World Series legend in 2011 when he hit a game-tying triple to keep the Cardinals' season alive with two outs in the bottom of the ninth of Game 6 against the Texas Rangers. He then won the game with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 11th. The Cardinals won Game 7, securing their most recent championship, and Freese was named World Series MVP. He was also named NLCS MVP that playoff cycle.

 

"Although we are disappointed that David has declined to be inducted into our Hall of Fame, we respect his decision and look forward to celebrating his great Cardinals career in other ways going forward," Cardinals president Bill DeWitt III said in a statement. "He is always welcome at Busch Stadium."

Freese, who has been open about his struggles with depression and anxiety during his time playing for the Cardinals, was traded to the Angels after the 2013 season after five years in St. Louis. He also played for the Pirates and Dodgers, his last MLB games coming with L.A. in 2019.

[mmc]

*Cardinals Hall of Fame

[Slegnaac]

20 minutes ago, mmc said:

*Cardinals Hall of Fame

[AngelsFaninGA]

He would've accepted if it was the Angels HOF

[DMVol]

Kind of a perplexing decision….

[AngelsLakersFan]

They’ll let anyone in

[UndertheHalo]

Ok

[fan_since79]

16 hours ago, DMVol said:

Kind of a perplexing decision….

Yeah, don't get it at all.

[ArkyAngelsFan]

I guess that he doesn't feel worthy to be mentioned in the same breath as players like Musial, Brock, Gibson and Smith, etc. I can kinda see his point but if they are going to vote in guys like Oquendo and Lanier in then mebbe he should consider himself worthy of this accolade..

This looks like Cards fans are saying "thank you" for his heroics during the 2011 World Series win more than anything else. 

If Freeze looks at it like that he might reconsider in the future......

~ArkyAngelsFan~

 

[The Ghost of Bob Starr]

He’s following Jeter’s lead. Derek is waiting for the halo hall and a statue before saying yes. 

[REDneck]

On 6/17/2023 at 10:03 PM, DMVol said:

Kind of a perplexing decision….

 

12 hours ago, fan_since79 said:

Yeah, don't get it at all.

Yeah, it's really odd!

But people are odd, and I guess baseball players are not an exception to being odd. I'm sure he has reasons, even if they're odd.

Shit my HOA pres is trying to get me to be a member at large. I don't want that...I would have to mow my lawn every 3 days then just to set a good example.

Lol!

Edited June 19, 2023 by REDneck

[arch stanton]

If he doesn’t want to be the Harold Baines of St Louis I can’t blame him. They can still have an exhibit on the 2011 WS that features him. They should even reach out to Nelson Cruz and ask for his outfield glove. Based on its usage in that game it should be mint

 

 

Edited June 19, 2023 by arch stanton

[REDneck]

1 hour ago, arch stanton said:

If he doesn’t want to be the Harold Baines of St Louis I can’t blame him. They can still have an exhibit on the 2011 WS that features him. They should even reach out to Nelson Cruz and ask for his outfield glove. Based on its usage in that game it should be mint

 

 

Can you explain this one to me?

Seriously. I'm not being a smart ass. I really don't get it, I'm a bad baseball fan!

 

 

[REDneck]

11 minutes ago, REDneck said:

Can you explain this one to me?

Seriously. I'm not being a smart ass. I really don't get it, I'm a bad baseball fan!

 

 

I'm going to try and understand.

So when you say Harold Baines you mean that neither are worthy of HOF.

That must of been a young Nelson Cruz who either was a DH in that series or really bad on defense therefore his glove is in mint condition?

Where did I go wrong?

I don't remember last week, much less the 2011 WS!

Funny I remember the 2002 WS with clarity tho!

Edited June 19, 2023 by REDneck

[arch stanton]

 

[REDneck]

43 minutes ago, arch stanton said:

 

Was that the mang scoring the second run?