Freeman’s move from first to third is reminiscent of ten great players who made the opposite switch

When Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman returns from the disabled list this month, he might be wearing a different glove. Because new Braves acquisition Matt Adams has become a key part of the offense, Freeman can move to the other side of the diamond to play third to accommodate Adams early.

If he does make that switch, Freeman will join a small list of players who have gone from first to third. The latest star to do so is American League MVP Miguel Cabrera, who, after Detroit acquired Prince Fielder in 2012, slid down the infield for the Tigers.

On the other hand, switching from third to first is quite common in baseball. Here are ten All-Stars who were once regular third basemen but moved up to first base later in their careers.

Harmon Killebrew

Arriving with the Washington Senators in 1954 and following the team to Minnesota, Killebrew managed the hot corner to win the Twins pennant in 1966. After moving to first base in the mid-1970s, he became the fourth slugger in baseball history to reach the 570 home run mark in his career.

george scott

Boomer spent fourteen years in the Major Leagues, primarily for the Boston Red Sox and Milwaukee Brewers. After going from third to first in 1975, Scott led the American League with 36 home runs and 109 RBI.

Tony Perez

During the five seasons of his major league career with Cincinnati, PĂ©rez exclusively played third. When he switched to first division after 1971, the Reds became perennial contenders as the Big Red Machine won World Series Championships in 1975 and 1976.

pink pete

Charlie Hustle had already shown a lot of versatility by playing every spot in the outfield, and after Perez crossed the diamond, Rose took over at third. He earned another World Series crown after becoming the starting first baseman for the 1980 Philadelphia Phillies.

nick esasky

Tremendous power helped Esasky break into Cincinnati’s lineup, serving his first few years at hot corner. He settled more comfortably on the opposite side of the infield, where he enjoyed a productive career spent primarily with the Reds and Atlanta Braves.

jason giambi

With MVP Mark McGuire gaining a foothold at first base, Giambi served out his initial tenure at third for Oakland. Once he switched to first, he earned MVP honors for the A’s.

Jim Thorne

Cleveland had a dominant offensive attack in the 1990s, anchored by guys like outfielder Albert Belle and third baseman Jim Thome, who helped the Indians capture the pennant in 1997. A few seasons into his career, Thome became the regular first baseman at Jacobs Field.

richie allen

Philadelphia’s Rookie of the Year not only changed positions and teams, but also names. After being traded to Chicago, he became Dick Allen and won MVP while playing first base for the White Sox.

Edwin Encarnacion

As Cincinnati’s third baseman for four seasons, Double E showed promising power. A trade to the Blue Jays resulted in a move to first base, and he has since become one of the best sluggers in the game.

eddie matthews

One of the most revered players in Braves history, the slugger went from third to first in the final seasons of his Hall of Fame career.

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