The scenario that surrounds Freese and the Cardinal Organization began approximately 2:40 a.m. that Saturday morning when Freese was pulled over by a Maryland Heights police officer.
Spencer Gleason
– Sports Writer –
The past several years have been a rollercoaster ride for former STLCC- Meramec Magic, now St. Louis Cardinal third baseman, David Freese. The Freese rollercoaster keeps twisting and turning.
News of a DWI charge for Freese on Nov. 20, 2002 has surfaced; however, the charge was lessened when he accepted a plea deal called a “suspended imposition of sentence” or SIS, in a Ballwin Municipal Court. Freese, now 26, has battled back from injuries and surgery; now finding himself on the brink of a dream come true – starting third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals. Nevertheless, on Dec. 12, 2009, Freese came off track again.
The scenario that surrounds Freese and the Cardinal Organization began approximately 2:40 a.m. that Saturday morning when Freese was pulled over by a Maryland Heights police officer. He was given the standardized field sobriety test. Freese’s blood-alcohol level registered 0.232 percent, which is nearly three times the legal limit of 0.08 in Missouri. Freese was then placed under arrest for “driving while intoxicated and failure to drive within a single lane” according to a press release by the Maryland Heights Police Department.
“I was disappointed when I heard the news,” said Bob Bottger, Manager of Physical Education and Athletics for Meramec. “I know that he was too and everybody that cares about him.”
A press release issued by the St. Louis Cardinals on Dec. 14 states “we are extremely disappointed with David and he will have to take full responsibility for his actions. Our Employee Assistance Team has already been in contact with David to begin that process.”
Freese’s experience is the fourth known alcohol-related incident involving the Cardinals since March 2007 and almost immediately Freese started to take the actions necessary to put his DWI charge behind him and redeem his character.
In a St. Louis Post-Dispatch column on Dec. 14, 2009, Freese’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum, said, “He’s regretful that he put himself in a situation that has caused any embarrassment to the organization, the fans and his family. He’s taking immediate steps to address any issues that caused him to place himself in this unfortunate situation.”
Freese has joined the Cardinals Employment Assistance Program.
“Time will tell in terms of follow through,” said Bottger. “I think that’s pretty much a stock statement from anyone in the professional level that runs into a bump.”
Just a few weeks prior to Freese’s latest DWI charge, Meramec hosted David Freese Day. While signing autographs Freese said Cardinal fans were “the greatest fans in the world.”
It is a sentiment that is felt throughout Cardinal Nation; pulling for the good guy Freese is at heart and helping him get back on track.
Former Meramec student and now mother, Amanda Aholt said, “It was a little disappointing. A lot of young kids look up to these ballplayers and seeing that they’re getting in trouble with the law is a little disappointing. We need good role models. Obviously, he made a mistake and he hopefully pays his consequences. But I’ll be there to support him no matter what- he’s a Cardinal.”
