Freddie Freeman’s voice carried in the National League clubhouse at the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, and the Dodgers first baseman made sure his message was bigger than the moment itself.
Freeman, starting at first base for the NL, was making his 10th All-Star team and sixth straight appearance. He has now been an All-Star in all five seasons since joining the Dodgers, and this year marked his third time starting in that span. At 36, with the kind of résumé that puts him in future Hall of Fame territory, he was one of the most established players on the roster - and he used that platform to remind everyone to slow down and soak it in.
“Gosh, it was more of just appreciating, taking a step back and making sure you realize how special this is. Sometimes you go too fast,” Freeman said.
“This is my 17th year, and it feels like yesterday when I first started doing this. My first All-Star Game was 14 years ago.
It’s fun. There’s 35 or 36 first-time All-Stars.
It’s incredible.
“The game is in a great spot with the young players now. I know it’s going fast these two days.
There’s a lot going on. So make sure to take a step back and realize it’s not just you making it, it’s your parents, your friends, everyone who helps you along the way.
“Take a step back and realize how special it is and make sure you enjoy these two days before we get back to work.”
The Dodgers had five representatives in Philadelphia: Freeman, Andy Pages, Max Muncy, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Justin Wrobleski. Shohei Ohtani was also named an All-Star, but he did not travel or play because of left knee inflammation.
For Pages and Wrobleski, the trip marked the first All-Star selections of their careers. Freeman singled out both players afterward, with special praise for Wrobleski after the pitcher’s rocky start to last season and the way he’s bounced back.
“It’s nice. Wrobleski really took off.
I said it during media day, I think he gave up seven or eight runs in D.C. last year and got sent down. For him to come back and do what he did in the playoffs, especially in the World Series, he’s never looked back this year.
It’s awesome,” Freeman said.
“Andy Pages, I know it says first-time All-Star, but should be two-time All-Star in my opinion. I think he’s leading in all categories in defense in center field, he’s playing every single day.
It’s special. It’s nice to see them get their first one.”
Freeman’s own night was brief at the plate. He went 0-for-1 with a walk in two plate appearances, and he was one of only five NL players to reach base in the 2026 Midsummer Classic.
He also got a memorable pregame moment at Citizens Bank Park. Before the fifth inning, Ray Charles’ version of “America the Beautiful” played on the video board while fireworks went off and children rode bicycles onto the field in a clear tribute to the movie. Freeman took part in the scene, and afterward he talked about the experience.
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