Dodgers' Freddie Freeman Defies Age, Looks Poised for More All-Star Seasons

The 36-year-old first baseman is off to a hot start, showing no signs of slowing down as he aims to play until age 40.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:48pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic action of a baseball game, with the players' forms broken down into overlapping planes of color and abstract shapes, conveying the energy and movement of the sport.Freddie Freeman's resurgence at age 36 defies expectations, as the Dodgers first baseman looks poised for more All-Star caliber seasons.Los Angeles Today

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, a former MVP and future Hall of Famer, is defying Father Time and looking poised for several more All-Star caliber seasons. Despite being 36 years old, Freeman is leading the majors in hard-hit balls and moving better on defense than he did last year, when he was hampered by an ankle injury that required offseason surgery. Freeman, who wants to retire as a Dodger, believes he can play through his age-40 season, a goal that once seemed unrealistic but now appears achievable given his strong start to the 2026 campaign.

Why it matters

Freeman's ability to defy his age and remain an elite player would be a huge boost for the Dodgers, who are aiming to win another World Series title. At 36, most players begin to decline, but Freeman's resurgence shows he may still have several prime years left, which could help the Dodgers maintain their status as one of the National League's top teams.

The details

After a somewhat disappointing 2025 season in which he was playing through an ankle injury, Freeman has come out firing in 2026. Through the first three games against the Arizona Diamondbacks, he has driven several balls to the warning track, narrowly missing home runs. Freeman says he feels healthier and more explosive this year after being limited in his offseason workouts last year due to the ankle surgery. The eight-time All-Star is leading the majors in hard-hit balls and moving better defensively, signs that he may have several more All-Star caliber seasons left in the tank.

  • Freeman underwent ankle surgery a month after the 2024 World Series and spent the remainder of the offseason rehabbing rather than working out.
  • Last season, Freeman said he didn't start hitting until the day before the team's annual fan fest event.
  • Through the first three games of the 2026 season against the Diamondbacks, Freeman has driven several balls to the warning track, narrowly missing home runs.

The players

Freddie Freeman

A 36-year-old first baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers who is a former MVP and future Hall of Famer. He is looking to defy Father Time and play through his age-40 season.

Shohei Ohtani

A two-way player for the Los Angeles Dodgers who was featured in a photo with Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts showing off their World Series rings.

Mookie Betts

A shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers who was featured in a photo with Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani showing off their World Series rings.

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What they’re saying

“When you feel good, you feel healthy, you have a free mind to play.”

— Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers First Baseman

“I wasn't able to work out my lower half last year. It was all trying to strengthen my ankle and calf.”

— Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers First Baseman

“I would say it was a different animal to tackle last year. I was fighting through a lot of stuff. I was trying to win every day.”

— Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers First Baseman

What’s next

The Dodgers will continue to monitor Freeman's health and performance as he aims to play through his age-40 season. If he can maintain this level of play, he could be in line for several more All-Star selections and help the Dodgers contend for more championships.

The takeaway

Freddie Freeman's resurgence at 36 years old defies conventional wisdom about baseball players declining in their mid-30s. His ability to stay healthy and productive could be a game-changer for the Dodgers as they pursue another World Series title, and it serves as an inspiring example of an elite athlete refusing to let Father Time catch up to him.