Freese declines induction into Cardinals HOF
Former St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Freese declined his 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 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."
"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," team president Bill DeWitt III said.
Freese, who played five of his 11 big-league seasons with the Cardinals, was elected to the team's Hall of Fame via fan vote last month. The 40-year-old told the team this week that he was "humbled" but ultimately felt he wasn't "deserving" of induction, per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
"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 day. I'm forever grateful to be part of such an amazing organization and fan base then, now, and in the future," Freese said in his statement. "I'm especially sorry to the fans that took the time to cast their votes.
"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. I feel strongly about my decision and understand how people might feel about this. I get it. I'll wear it."
A St. Louis-area native, Freese was the Cardinals' ninth-round pick in the 2006 MLB Draft, and he reached the majors three years later. Although he played just 466 games for the Cardinals, his impact on the franchise was monumental.
With his team down to its final out in Game 6 of the 2011 World Series, he hit a dramatic two-RBI triple to tie the game at 7-7, then crushed a walk-off homer two innings later. The Cardinals went on to win the World Series in seven games, with Freese being named World Series MVP.
Freese, who also won the 2011 NLCS MVP, made his only All-Star appearance in 2012 and helped the Cardinals win another pennant in 2013. He was traded to the Los Angeles Angels before the 2014 season. He retired six years later.
The Cardinals' 2023 Hall of Fame class now consists of just two members: longtime infielder and coach Jose Oquendo and former left-hander Max Lanier. They'll be officially inducted on Aug. 20.