Oklahoma State University Athletics
Michael Freeman
Pro Pokes: Freeman A Jack Of All Trades Following Baseball Career
December 29, 2021 | Cowboy Baseball
In 2015, Michael Freeman capped a two-year career at Oklahoma State with one of the most impressive seasons on the mound in program history.
A Broken Arrow, Oklahoma native, the 6-foot-8 southpaw was a consensus All-American as a senior and earned 2015 Big 12 Conference Pitcher of the Year honors. He went 10-3 with a 1.31 ERA, tossed four complete games in 15 starts and racked up 97 strikeouts in 109 2/3 innings.
Following that 2015 season in which he also helped the Cowboys earn a NCAA Regional host bid, Freeman was a seventh-round pick of the Houston Astros in the Major League Baseball Draft.
Freeman pitched in 68 games over three seasons of professional baseball, climbing as high as Double A, before retiring following the 2017 season.
Since hanging up his spikes, Freeman has been busy with a variety of endeavors back in his home state.
Your job title: Firefighter
Where you live: Yukon, OK
OSU degree and year graduated: University Studies, 2015
You spent three seasons in pro baseball and reached the Double A level. How was your pro baseball experience and what made you decide baseball was over for you?
Freeman: Professional baseball was different than anything I had experienced to that point. With so much travel, moving parts and diversity within each team, each day was a new experience. We (my wife and I) got to go a lot of places and do a lot of things that most people don't get to do at a relatively young age. We had a lot of fun together! I decided that I was done with baseball when the work stopped being the best part of the game. After being released by the Astros, I knew God had something else in store, and it was time to move on to the next season of life.
What all have you done since retiring from pro ball?
Freeman: This is a long list! The first and most important has been starting a family. Delaney and I have two kids, Renly and Riggs. We also have a few pups! I caught the bug, and I've gotten into waterfowl hunting, which has led to breeding and training labradors. For work, I coached baseball and taught eighth grade science before getting on at the Edmond Fire Department. I also worked in construction, started a weed control and fertilization company and started a Christmas light business. I tend to stay pretty busy!
What made you decide to become a firefighter? Is it what you thought/hoped it would be?
Freeman: My dad was a firefighter, and I never thought that's the route I wanted to go. Once baseball ended, I knew I wanted a career where I could push myself mentally and physically each day. I was having a conversation with my father-in-law about where I should go for a career one day, and he said "You really need to think about getting on at a fire department." After that I decided that's what I was going to do. It's been the best decision for my family and me. I enjoy taking care of others as well as the comradery and the team aspect of the job. It's the closest thing to a team I could find without being in sports!
Are you the tallest fireman in Edmond?!
Freeman: That depends who you ask! We have a few guys that are right around 6'8" but we haven't broken out the measuring tape yet!
How did being a student-athlete at OSU prepare you for life after college?
Freeman: I really learned how to push myself and prioritize multiple facets of life while at OSU. I was challenged mentally and physically on the field while also pushing myself academically through a tough course load at OSU. I'm thankful for the struggles and the people like Rob (Walton), Josh (Holliday), Jonene Cook, and all my teammates who helped me through my time at OSU. It was tough at times, but I would do it all over again if given the chance!
What are your future goals?
Freeman: I have several goals for myself and my family. My first priority is to continue to love my wife and to build a stronger relationship with her every day! Second is to raise children who love God and are successful, productive members of society in whatever realm they decide is best for them. Third would be to build a home on some land for our family.
Favorite OSU baseball memory?
Freeman: I will always say getting engaged at Allie P. It was a special moment for Delaney and I! We love Allie P.! On the baseball side, I just loved every day being at the field and in the locker room with the guys! Nothing beat that! But if I had to pick a moment on the field it would have to be beating TCU my senior year. They were ranked #1 in the country going into the weekend. We got some crappy weather in for Sunday and got delayed. I ended up throwing a complete game and got the win, with a ton of run support and a solid defense behind me, for us to take that series.
Anything else you want to add about your OSU experience on and/or off the field?
Freeman: My two years at OSU were the two most fun years I had playing baseball. I learned a lot about myself and really became a man there. I wouldn't change anything that happened, and I'm so thankful that Rob and Josh took a chance on me! The friendships, with my teammates and the coaching staff, are relationships that I cherish to this day. I'm thankful to be a Cowboy and to raise my kids to love the Cowboys!!!
A Broken Arrow, Oklahoma native, the 6-foot-8 southpaw was a consensus All-American as a senior and earned 2015 Big 12 Conference Pitcher of the Year honors. He went 10-3 with a 1.31 ERA, tossed four complete games in 15 starts and racked up 97 strikeouts in 109 2/3 innings.
Following that 2015 season in which he also helped the Cowboys earn a NCAA Regional host bid, Freeman was a seventh-round pick of the Houston Astros in the Major League Baseball Draft.
Freeman pitched in 68 games over three seasons of professional baseball, climbing as high as Double A, before retiring following the 2017 season.
Since hanging up his spikes, Freeman has been busy with a variety of endeavors back in his home state.
Your job title: Firefighter
Where you live: Yukon, OK
OSU degree and year graduated: University Studies, 2015
You spent three seasons in pro baseball and reached the Double A level. How was your pro baseball experience and what made you decide baseball was over for you?
Freeman: Professional baseball was different than anything I had experienced to that point. With so much travel, moving parts and diversity within each team, each day was a new experience. We (my wife and I) got to go a lot of places and do a lot of things that most people don't get to do at a relatively young age. We had a lot of fun together! I decided that I was done with baseball when the work stopped being the best part of the game. After being released by the Astros, I knew God had something else in store, and it was time to move on to the next season of life.
What all have you done since retiring from pro ball?
Freeman: This is a long list! The first and most important has been starting a family. Delaney and I have two kids, Renly and Riggs. We also have a few pups! I caught the bug, and I've gotten into waterfowl hunting, which has led to breeding and training labradors. For work, I coached baseball and taught eighth grade science before getting on at the Edmond Fire Department. I also worked in construction, started a weed control and fertilization company and started a Christmas light business. I tend to stay pretty busy!
What made you decide to become a firefighter? Is it what you thought/hoped it would be?
Freeman: My dad was a firefighter, and I never thought that's the route I wanted to go. Once baseball ended, I knew I wanted a career where I could push myself mentally and physically each day. I was having a conversation with my father-in-law about where I should go for a career one day, and he said "You really need to think about getting on at a fire department." After that I decided that's what I was going to do. It's been the best decision for my family and me. I enjoy taking care of others as well as the comradery and the team aspect of the job. It's the closest thing to a team I could find without being in sports!
Are you the tallest fireman in Edmond?!
Freeman: That depends who you ask! We have a few guys that are right around 6'8" but we haven't broken out the measuring tape yet!
How did being a student-athlete at OSU prepare you for life after college?
Freeman: I really learned how to push myself and prioritize multiple facets of life while at OSU. I was challenged mentally and physically on the field while also pushing myself academically through a tough course load at OSU. I'm thankful for the struggles and the people like Rob (Walton), Josh (Holliday), Jonene Cook, and all my teammates who helped me through my time at OSU. It was tough at times, but I would do it all over again if given the chance!
What are your future goals?
Freeman: I have several goals for myself and my family. My first priority is to continue to love my wife and to build a stronger relationship with her every day! Second is to raise children who love God and are successful, productive members of society in whatever realm they decide is best for them. Third would be to build a home on some land for our family.
Favorite OSU baseball memory?
Freeman: I will always say getting engaged at Allie P. It was a special moment for Delaney and I! We love Allie P.! On the baseball side, I just loved every day being at the field and in the locker room with the guys! Nothing beat that! But if I had to pick a moment on the field it would have to be beating TCU my senior year. They were ranked #1 in the country going into the weekend. We got some crappy weather in for Sunday and got delayed. I ended up throwing a complete game and got the win, with a ton of run support and a solid defense behind me, for us to take that series.
Anything else you want to add about your OSU experience on and/or off the field?
Freeman: My two years at OSU were the two most fun years I had playing baseball. I learned a lot about myself and really became a man there. I wouldn't change anything that happened, and I'm so thankful that Rob and Josh took a chance on me! The friendships, with my teammates and the coaching staff, are relationships that I cherish to this day. I'm thankful to be a Cowboy and to raise my kids to love the Cowboys!!!
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