The Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres are considered one of baseball's greatest rivalries. The two teams engage in fierce competitions with intense tension every time they play, but San Diego superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. does not hide his respect for players from rival teams.
According to Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Tatis Jr. expressed a wish to have the uniform of the Los Angeles Dodgers' star hitter Freddie Freeman.
Tatis Jr. said, "There are definitely some players whose uniforms I would like to have. Even if we are not close, there are players who greet each other and ask how they are doing. If they are good people and excellent players, that’s enough."
The players he mentioned wanting to have their uniforms from total three. They include Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr., New York Yankees star hitter and two-time American League MVP Aaron Judge, and Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
If the uniform exchange between Freeman, the 2020 National League MVP and one of the best hitters in the game, and Tatis takes place, it could evoke mixed feelings for Dodgers and Padres fans. However, Tatis Jr.'s remarks appear to express respect for players who have both talent and character.
Freeman is known to fans and players alike as a "good person." He is considered one of the strong candidates for the Hall of Fame, not only for his impressive statistics but also for his clean image, making him hard to dislike for fans of other teams.
It is uncertain how Padres fans will accept this situation, but Tatis Jr.'s genuine hope for an exchange of uniforms with a player from a rival team reminds us once again of the essence of baseball. Despite wearing different uniforms, the fact that they are all players who love baseball remains unchanged.
Meanwhile, Tatis Jr. is recording a batting average of .259 (89 hits in 343 at-bats), 15 home runs, 40 RBIs, 63 runs scored, and 19 stolen bases this season.
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