2011 World Series MVP David Freese declines induction to St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame

David Freese grew up a Cardinals fan and led them to a World Series title in dramatic fashion. Yet a dozen years later, the former MLB third baseman doesn’t believe he’s worthy of a coveted team honor.

On Saturday, St. Louis announced that Freese turned down a spot in the Cardinals Hall of Fame. His heroics won the National League pennant and the 2011 World Series title against the Texas Rangers. But David Freese didn’t think his five-year career with the Cards met Hall of Fame standards. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Freese was the runaway winner of the fan vote for the Hall. Knowing that, Freese still said no.

David Freese showed a lot of humility in making this decision. pic.twitter.com/ufKpCNWx6j

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 17, 2023

He wrote down what he felt in his heart and had the Cardinals release his statement to the media.

“This is something that I have given an extreme amount of thought to, humbly, even before the voting process began,” David Freese said. “I am aware of the impact I had helping the team bring great memories to the city I grew up in, including the 11th championship, but this honor means more to me.

Freese continued: “I look at who I was during my tenure, and that weighs heavily on me. The Cardinals and the entire city have always had my back in every way. I’m forever grateful to be part of such an amazing organization and fan base then, now and in the future. I’m especially sorry to the fans that took the time to cast their votes. Cardinal Nation is basically the reason why I’ve unfortunately waited so long for this decision and made it more of a headache for so many people. I feel strongly about my decision and understand how people might feel about this. I get it. I’ll wear it. Thank you for always being there for me, and I am excited to be around the Cardinals as we move forward.”

David Freese was a special player for the Cardinals and he always will be remembered as the hometown kid who brought the team great honor.

He played for St. Louis from 2009-13. But he was ever so special in October, 2011. The Cardinals reached the NL championship series against Milwaukee. And he helped them achieve a World Series berth by swatting three homers with nine RBI.

By game six of the World Series, St. Louis’ hopes were fading. The Cardinals were down to their very last strike in the ninth when Freese hit a triple to bring in the tying runs. In the 11th inning, and again on the final strike, Freese lofted a solo homer to center field to win the game, sending the series to a seventh game.

He opened game seven with a double. That was his 21st hit of the postseason, setting a MLB record. And he became only the sixth player to earn MVP honors in both a League Championship Series and the World Series. No doubt, he could never match this sliver of his career. Yet with the benefit of hindsight, he still didn’t think he was worthy of the Hall. Remember that homerun in game six of the 2011 series? The area where it hit in Busch Stadium forever will be Freese Landing.

Club president Bill DeWitt said he respected Freese’s decision. He added the team will celebrate his career in other ways.