This is a crossover many didn’t see coming: Freddie Freeman and “The Golden Bachelor.”
The Dodgers star has an unexpected connection to Season 2 of the ABC dating show as he is the nephew of contender Carol Freeman-Branstine, who also serves as the two-time World Series champ’s family manager, according to the network.
Freeman-Branstine is one of the 23 women pursuing Mel Owens, a former linebacker for the Rams turned lawyer, and now, the second-ever “Golden Bachelor.”
Freeman-Branstine, 63, who has three daughters from a previous relationship, loves Bad Bunny and is a skilled tambourine player, according to her show bio on the ABC website. It also says she drinks more Diet Coke than water.
She returned to college recently and is loving it.
“I now can get student and senior discounts!” she joked.
Freeman-Branstine is now focused on finding love with Owens.
“For Carol, this journey is all about finding her forever, so here’s to hoping she can find that meaningful connection with Mel,” her ABC bio says.
During Wednesday’s premiere of “The Golden Bachelor,” 66-year-old Owens expressed regret for his previous comments, when he said he would “cut” any woman over the age of 60, after some of the women called him out.
“I have anxiety,” Owens said while on his way to the “Bachelor” mansion for the premiere episode. “It’s sort of overwhelming. Age doesn’t matter. When they walk out, I’m not thinking age. I’m looking at feelings for connections. It’s the chemistry. I hope these women don’t judge me on what they heard, but they probably do.”
“It doesn’t matter how old you are,” he said at the start of the episode. “Falling in love never stops being magical.”
Owens sent home 10 women: Maia, 58, Susie, 62, Lisa, 66, Tracy, 62, Lily, 72, Andra, 77, Alexandra, 67, Carla, 62, Diane, 71, and Mylene, 61.
Meanwhile, on the baseball field, Freeman hit two home runs to bring home three runs in an 8-0 win over the Diamondbacks on Thursday.
The Dodgers kick off a three-game series with the Mariners in Seattle on Friday.