The World Series Begins....

 

For numerous reasons, I have been completely detached from the MLB Playoffs here in 2021.  I probably have not seen five innings total throughout the games that have been played thus far.  However, that ends tonight when the World Series, once but no longer America's most preeminent team sports event but still a pretty big deal, begins.  The Houston Astros will be playing in the Fall Classic for the third time in five seasons, and the Atlanta Braves will be making their first appearance since 1999.

I shall be rooting for the Braves to win it all this year, and that has nothing to do with the Astros of 2017 Cheating Scandal infamy.  They are a good team and fun to watch.  However, I will be rooting for Atlanta for primarily one reason: first baseman Freddie Freeman.

I can remember watching Freeman early in his career, circa 2011-12, playing against the Pirates and thinking, "this guy is a really nice ball player" and he has proven to be just that over his career, averaging .295, 28 HR, 97 RBI, and an OBP of .893.  He has been a five time All-Star, two time Sliver Slugger, a Gold Glove winner, and is the reigning NL Most Valuable Player.  He also seems to be wildly popular among his peers, because every time an opponent reaches first base against the Braves, Freeman is seen yucking it up talking to him, the umpire, and the first base coach.   It seems that there is nothing not to like about the guy, so I for one am hoping that Freeman lights it up big time on the game's biggest stage.

In a World Series Pool that I have entered, I have picked the Braves in six games, so let's go with that as the Official Grandstander prediction.

Enjoy the Series, folks!