Tyler Matzek flashes back to Colorado Rockies roots in Freddie Freeman tease

With the Major League Baseball lockout in full effect, one of the best ways we currently have to keep up with baseball players is through social media. It gives us insight into what they’re doing to pass the time and how they’re staying connected … even if it’s poking fun while flashing back to a 2014 game between the Colorado Rockies and Atlanta Braves at Coors Field.

Current Atlanta Braves and former Colorado Rockies pitcher Tyler Matzek recently took the opportunity to poke fun at Freddie Freeman on Twitter

Tyler Matzek made his MLB debut with the Colorado Rockies on June 11, 2014, getting the start against the Atlanta Braves at Coors Field. The 11th overall pick by the Rockies in the 2009 draft started his career with a flourish, allowing two runs and five hits while striking out seven over seven innings as the Rockies recorded an 8-2 win over Atlanta.

Matzek’s first career strikeout came against Freeman to close out the first inning as part of what was a memorable day.

The fact that Matzek recorded his first-ever strikeout against Freeman was a memory that the now-Atlanta reliever felt like bringing up out of the blue recently on Twitter.

It was not only a chance for Matzek to needle his friend, but also a subtle reminder that the Braves are still looking to bring Freeman (now a free agent) back to the team … and there are plenty of Freeman’s teammates who want him back as they try to win another World Series in 2022.

Matzek’s strikeout of Freeman was one of 106 the southpaw recorded with the Rockies before the “yips” nearly cost him his career. However, through hard work and mental and physical training, Matzek got a second chance with the Braves and has become one of the steadiest pieces of Atlanta’s bullpen.