Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
Freddie Freeman carried the Los Angeles Dodgers offense in May, and his performance over the last four weeks earned him the National League Player of the Month.
It is the third time Freeman has won the NL Player of the Month Award, but his first time doing so with the Dodgers. He previously earned the honors with the Atlanta Braves in September of 2016 and 2020.
The last member of the Dodgers to win Player of the Month honors was Cody Bellinger in April 2019 en route to also taking home the NL MVP Award that season.
Freeman hit .400/.462/.722 over 28 games in May, going 46-for-115, with six home runs, 26 RBI, 28 runs scored, 17 doubles, one triple and four stolen bases.
The 33-year-old hit safely in all but two games during the month, which gave him a 20-game hitting streak from May 10 through June 2. Freeman recorded multiple hits in 14 of those 20 games and batted .457 during that streak.
The 20-game hitting streak tied the second-longest of Freeman’s career and the longest he’s had with the Dodgers. Freeman previously hit safely in 30 consecutive games while with the Atlanta Braves in 2016.
The six-time All-Star had 24 extra-base hits during the month, which set a new Dodgers franchise record, surpassing the mark set by Babe Herman (July 1930) and Duke Snider (June 1954). Freeman’s 17 doubles also set a franchise record for any calendar month, passing Herman’s 16 in July 1930.
During the month, Freeman also slugged his 300th career home run, which was a grand slam on May 18 against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. He joined Ruben Sierra (2004) as the only players in MLB history to hit a grand slam as their 300th career homer.
Freddie Freeman ’stubborn’ with approach
Freeman has established himself as one of the best and most consistent hitters since his MLB debut, and he credits a lot of the sustained success to maintaining a consistent approach at the plate and in preparation.
“Keeping it simple, stubborn to my approach,” Freeman said when asked about his recent hot streak. “Trying to ride it as long as you can. These kind of things don’t usually last this long, so I’ve been trying to hold onto it.
“But yeah, I’ve been ultimately feeling pretty good at the plate. Just trying to keep it simple, not overthink things, trying to take what they give me. I’ve been getting results the last few weeks.”
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