David Freese

NLCS and World Series MVP 

In a tale of perserverance that not even Hollywood could write, David Freese has cemented himself as an October legend in the city in which he was raised. The Wildwood, Missouri, native capped a historic comeback and helped lead the 2011 St. Louis Cardinals to one of the most improbable championship runs in baseball history. From his outstanding performance in the 2011 NLCS in which he batted .545, to his iconic triple and walk-off home run in Game 6 of the World Series, Freese time and time again performed on baseball's biggest stage. By producing at this level, Freese became only the sixth player in history to be named both LCS and World Series MVP in the same postseason.

A Greater St. Louis area baseball star at Lafayette High School, Freese turned down Division I scholarships and decided to quit baseball at the end of high school to enroll at the University of Missouri as a computer science major. Less than a year later, he missed the game too much and decided to enroll and play at his local community college. His junior college play earned him a roster spot at University of South Alabama, a Division I school. While at South Alabama, Freese compiled outstanding numbers and was named a Division I All-American in 2006.

Drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 2006 MLB First Year Player Draft, Freese's lifelong dream came true when he was traded to his hometown Cardinals before the 2008 season. Twice the Cardinals' Opening Day Third Baseman, David had his breakout season in 2011, in which he hit he hit .297, 10 home runs and 55 RBI in only 97 games. The stage and his historic moments of the 2011 postseason have fully introduced Freese to the nation as a rising young star in MLB.