Freddie Freeman is learning to savor the last chapter
At 37 and in his 17th season, the Dodgers’ first baseman can finally see the finish line and he’s measuring what’s left in moments, not milestones.
Good morning! The break is winding down and the second half is nearly here. Today, a quieter, more reflective note: Arash Markazi caught up with Freddie Freeman in Philadelphia, where one of the game’s greats is starting to think about the end — and the memories he’s making along the way. Elsewhere, the World Cup final is set: Spain vs. Argentina on Sunday. Let’s get into it.
🚨 HEADLINES
⚾ The finish line. Freddie Freeman is savoring what’s left of a Cooperstown career — Arash Markazi from Philadelphia.
⚾ Birthday gem. Justin Wrobleski shined and Freeman reflected as the Dodgers closed All-Star Week — Fredo Cervantes from Philadelphia.
🏀 Split allegiances. Sparks stars Kelsey Plum and Nneka Ogwumike were drafted onto opposing All-Star teams — Holland Kaplan in Chicago.
🏀 Righting the ship. Kobe Sanders and the Clippers bounced back with a Summer League win over the Wizards — Arion Armeniakos in Las Vegas.
🏈 Fighting the fight. Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez presses on for the conference — Steve Carp at the Palms.
See what else is trending at The Sporting Tribune.
📋 SCOREBOARD — WEDNESDAY
⚽ World Cup (SF): Argentina 2, England 1 (Argentina to the final vs. Spain)
🏀 Summer League: Clippers 108, Wizards 94 (NBA Summer League)
⚾ FREEMAN, SAVORING THE LAST CHAPTER
The moment that stuck with Arash Markazi in Philadelphia didn’t happen on the field. It happened outside the National League clubhouse, where Freddie Freeman gathered his father, his wife, his four kids and his aunt Carol for a family photo — and asked our founder to take it. At 37, in his 17th season and his 10th All-Star Game, Freeman has started measuring the game in moments rather than milestones. He talked openly about the end for the first time: he’d like to play until 40, chase 3,000 hits and 20 seasons, then walk away. It’s a striking turn for a player who rarely talks about himself — and who has already authored two of the greatest Octobers in Dodgers history, from the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history to a repeat title a year later. He returns to Yankee Stadium on Friday for the first time since that 2024 classic.
GO DEEPER
› Arash Markazi: Freddie Freeman knows the finish line is coming, and wants to savor the last chapter (The Sporting Tribune)
› Dodgers Notebook: Wrobleski shines, Freeman reflects as Dodgers close All-Star Week (The Sporting Tribune)
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🏀 SPARKS STARS ON THE BIG STAGE
The Sparks may be fighting for footing in the standings, but their stars are front and center this weekend: Kelsey Plum and Nneka Ogwumike were drafted onto opposing All-Star teams, a nice bit of theater for two of the faces of the franchise. It caps an All-Star stretch that also split the Aces’ A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young onto different sides — four players from TST’s markets in the showcase. On the floor, Los Angeles pushed the Lynx on the road before coming up short.
GO DEEPER
› Sparks stars Kelsey Plum and Nneka Ogwumike selected to opposing All-Star teams (The Sporting Tribune)
› Sparks come up short against the Lynx despite a strong fight on the road (The Sporting Tribune)
📺 WATCHLIST — THURSDAY, JULY 16
🏀 Summer League: Lakers vs. Bulls - Prime Video - 3:00 p.m. PT
Coming up: MLB’s second half opens Friday — the Dodgers at the Yankees (Freeman’s first trip back since the 2024 World Series), the Angels hosting the Tigers, and the Padres at the Royals. The World Cup final is Sunday at MetLife.
🎟️ GOING TO A GAME THIS WEEKEND?
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⚾ MLB (Fri): Tigers at Angels — Angel Stadium — $9
🌴 TST TRIVIA
Freddie Freeman authored the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history in Game 1 of the 2024 Fall Classic. Which Yankees reliever surrendered it?
Answer at the bottom.
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Trivia answer: Néstor Cortés. Freeman took him deep for a walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series.
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