Yes, Dodgers veteran Max Muncy just offered a humorous and revealing insight into the mindset that drives Freddie Freeman’s sustained success, effectively calling it his “secret.”
In a recent media appearance, Muncy described Freeman’s almost relentless lack of complacency as the reason he remains one of the game’s elite hitters, even as he enters his late thirties.1
The Secret of Success
Muncy’s quote highlights the Hall-of-Fame drive that keeps Freeman at the top of the game:2
“Freddie always thinks his swing sucks, and then he’s hitting .300 at the end of the year.3 That’s how Freddie operates. That’s what makes him one of the best first basemen ever. That’s just how his mind operates. He always thinks he needs to fix something in his swing4.”5
Why This Mindset is Key to Freeman’s Longevity
This anecdote isn’t just a funny quirk; it reveals a professional strategy that has allowed Freeman to be a pillar of consistency:
- Never Satisfied: Freeman’s success is rooted in his never-satisfied attitude.6 Even when he’s performing at an elite level, his constant internal critique forces him to maintain the rigorous attention to detail needed to counter physical decline and opposing pitchers’ adjustments.7
- The “Grinder” Mentality: While Muncy and others have praised his athleticism, they often point to his work ethic as his best trait.8 As Kiké Hernández once said, “Freddie is a grinder.9 Not too many superstars grind the way Freddie does.” This means never settling and always working to solve a perceived flaw.
- Defying Age: At 36, Freeman is defying the natural slowing-down curve of a power hitter. His 2025 season saw him put up an OPS of 10$.869$ and remain a prominent member of a championship-winning team.11 Muncy’s comment suggests that Freeman’s mental toughness and lack of complacency are allowing him to outwork the aging process.
In short, the secret to Freddie Freeman’s success is that he holds himself to a standard of perfection that he never quite believes he has reached, ensuring he is always working on the next adjustment.12
