Freddie Freeman Reaches 2,500 Hits, Uncertain About Pursuing 3,000-Hit Milestone

Freddie Freeman, the Los Angeles Dodgers' 36-year-old first baseman, achieved his 2,500th career hit during Tuesday's game against Pittsburgh, prompting manager Dave Roberts to toast the milestone and jokingly challenge Freeman to reach 500 more hits for the 3,000-hit club. Freeman had entered the season planning to play three more years and retire at 40, with the goal of potentially joining the exclusive group of 34 players to reach 3,000 hits. However, the April birth of his fourth child and first daughter, London Rosemary Joy, has complicated his outlook. Freeman expressed conflicting emotions about the pursuit, acknowledging his desire to reach 3,000 hits while admitting uncertainty about whether he will get there. The nine-time All-Star reflected on the emotional difficulty of missing his daughter's early development while on the road, noting that she will not remember his playing career even if he continues until age 40, making the sacrifice feel less worthwhile.