When emotions overcame José Iglesias after singling in the Rockies’ home opener against the Dodgers on Friday, he shocked himself with his own reaction.
The shortstop was seen wiping tears from his eyes when he approached first base. “As soon as I hit the ball, the first thing that came to my mind was my dad because he watched every single game,” said Iglesias. It’s been only weeks since his father, Candelario, passed away.
But Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman knew he was in the right place at the right time.
“There’s always a reason that I’m here where I need to be,” said Freeman. “Being over at first base for José and that special moment for him and that emotional, emotional moment, it’s an Opening Day I’ll never forget.” Freeman, who lost his mother as a young child, knows firsthand how that pain never goes away.
“He said, ‘I know what you’re going through and I’ve been through it and that it’s tough,’” Iglesias said.
Freeman comforted Iglesias with an embrace in one of the most heartfelt moments across Opening Day – a human moment that transcended competition.
“Beyond baseball, we’re human beings,” Iglesias said. “That was very nice of Freddie.”
“José is going to be dealing with a lot,” shared Freeman. “It’s gonna be an emotional roller coaster for him. There’s gonna be so many times throughout the course of the year that something’s gonna remind him of his dad and he might break down again.”
Dodgers Freddie Freeman comforted #Rockies José Iglesias when he was overcome with emotion after his first hit since losing his father.
Freeman knows the pain of losing a parent never goes away. pic.twitter.com/qTzIjAXx5l
— DNVR Rockies (@DNVR_Rockies) April 9, 2022
During Iglesias’s childhood in Cuba, his dad worked long hours in a factory for little money. Still, Candelario, also a shortstop, always made time for baseball with his son. “No matter how tired he was, he always took me to the field,” Iglesias said.
It was his father’s dream to see him make the majors. “He told me once, ‘If I ever watch a play for one day, I’d be good to go after that.’ And he watched me play for 10 years. So, I’m very blessed,” he said. “He’s in a better place now to watch me every day.”
When asked about the interaction the next day, Freeman echoed that same sentiment.
“His father is shining down on him,” Freeman offered. “He said he hadn’t missed an at-bat his whole life, so he’s definitely not gonna miss one now.”
Freeman was happy he was there to share in a moment that was bigger than baseball. “We’re a fraternity,” he said. “We have different uniforms on but you take the uniforms off, we’re all friends in this game. That’s the beauty of this sport.”
