Freddie Freeman’s heroic performance emerged from anguish, showcasing resilience that few athletes can match. It wasn’t a knee or hamstring injury that plagued him; rather, it was a sprained ankle that tested his limits. Over the course of 10 grueling innings, he battled through pain, culminating in a monumental moment that would echo through baseball history.
In a striking parallel to Kirk Gibson’s unforgettable moment in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series, Freeman etched his name into the annals of the game. He delivered the first-ever walk-off grand slam in World Series history, igniting a frenzy among 52,394 fans at Dodger Stadium.
Freeman expressed his admiration for the sport’s storied past, stating, “I love the history of this game. To be a part of it, it’s special. I’ve been playing this game a long time, and to come up in those moments, you dream about those moments, even when you’re 35 and have been in the league for 15 years. You want to be a part of those.”
With this achievement, Freeman joined the ranks of Gibson and Joe Carter (1993) as the only players to hit a walk-off homer in the World Series while their team was trailing.
As he rounded the bases, Freeman felt a sense of elation, likening the experience to floating. Teammate Max Muncy, who had his own walk-off moment in the 2018 World Series, could relate to the magnitude of the achievement.
Facing a one-run deficit with two outs in the bottom of the 10th, the Yankees opted to intentionally walk Mookie Betts, a strategic move to set up a lefty-lefty matchup against Freeman.
On the mound stood Nestor Cortes, who had just returned to the playoff roster after an elbow injury sidelined him for the Yankees’ earlier series. At the plate was Freeman, who had been hindered by a right ankle sprain and bone bruise, limiting his performance as an eight-time All-Star.
“You walk a first-ballot Hall of Famer,” said Dodgers infielder Gavin Lux, “to get to another first-ballot Hall of Famer.”
Freeman had missed two of the Dodgers’ last three games in the National League Championship Series and had not recorded an extra-base hit in the first two rounds of the postseason. However, the break before the World Series provided him with a much-needed opportunity to recover.
Throughout the playoffs, uncertainty loomed over Freeman’s availability. On several occasions, the coaching staff decided to rest him, prioritizing his health. Manager Dave Roberts often faced last-minute decisions about Freeman’s inclusion in the lineup.
“Back then, a week or so ago, I could get through four, five innings before I was having trouble walking,” Freeman reflected. “In Game 5, it started happening pretty much right after my first at-bat. It was just progressing to making it really hard for me to get through the game.”
The decision to sit him for Game 6 of the NLCS was made with his long-term health in mind. The week off allowed Freeman to rest his ankle, which typically flared up with activity. Despite receiving treatment for several hours daily, the time away proved beneficial. Three days before the World Series, Freeman felt “100 percent” ready to contribute.
Teammates began to notice a change in Freeman’s performance during batting practice. Kiké Hernández remarked, “You know your teammates. You know their swings. He took BP a couple days ago, and it didn’t look the way it looked a couple days prior.”
Hernández wasn’t alone in his observations. Reliever Daniel Hudson noticed Freeman hitting line drives during practice, signaling a return to form. “CT looks at me and goes, ‘I think Freddie’s about to go off,'” Hudson recalled, affirming the positive change.
Freeman felt he had identified a key adjustment in his swing with hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc. “It’s not about lifting or doing any of that,” he explained. “If my swing’s in the right spot, and you’re hitting line drives, that’s how you create backspin.”
On the first pitch from Cortes, Freeman connected with a 92.5 mph fastball, sending the ball soaring into the stands and shaking Dodger Stadium.
“Those are the scenarios you dream about, two outs, bases loaded in a World Series game,” Freeman shared. “For it to actually happen and get a home run and walk it off to give us a 1-0 lead, that’s as good as it gets right there.”
Following the celebration with his teammates, Freeman sought out his father behind home plate. “My swing is because of him,” Freeman said, reflecting on the influence of his father, who had been his batting practice partner throughout his life.
Just three months prior, Freeman faced one of the most challenging periods of his life when his young son, Max, fell seriously ill. The family learned he was suffering from Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune condition. Freeman took time away from the team to support his son, who is now on the road to recovery.
Days before returning to the Dodgers, Freeman practiced at his high school, El Modena, with his father. Upon his return to Dodger Stadium on August 5, he received a standing ovation from fans and the opposing Phillies dugout.
Freeman faced numerous challenges, including a fractured finger in August, but he continued to play through the pain. He ended the regular season strong, hitting .316 over his last ten games. However, he sprained his ankle in a crucial game against the Padres, which left him in a boot during the Dodgers’ celebration.
Despite being told his injury would take 4-6 weeks to heal, Freeman returned to the lineup just ten days later, ready to contribute.
“He’s doing something that’s basically heroic,” Hernández remarked, highlighting Freeman’s determination.
His commitment to play inspired his teammates, as they watched him overcome physical limitations. “A lot of us are banged up,” Lux noted. “So you see this guy can barely walk for a couple weeks get out there and still steal bases, it makes you want to get out there and play hard, too.”
Before Game 1, Freeman playfully threatened to steal a base, prompting his teammates to joke about carrying him off the field if he did. Ironically, he started the game with a triple against Gerrit Cole and later capped it off with a walk-off grand slam.
“Might be the greatest baseball moment I’ve ever witnessed,” Roberts said, reflecting on Freeman’s remarkable achievement.
“For him to have that moment, with everything he’s been through,” Lux added, “you couldn’t be happier for the guy.”
As Freeman’s grand slam soared through the air, Hudson in the bullpen noted the exit velocity at 109. He recognized that the game was over.
Reflecting on the moment, Hudson recalled Gibson’s famous blast, acknowledging the special significance of Freeman’s achievement for fans and players alike.
The celebration was brief, as the following day Freeman returned to the stadium for treatment, ready to face the next challenge.
“This trophy is what makes you go through the grind every day,” Freeman remarked, emphasizing the dedication required to reach such heights in baseball.
