Freddie Freeman had a great World Series for the Los Angeles Dodgers, including a grand slam to end Game 1 in the 10th inning against the New York Yankees during the first game of the 2024 World Series at Dodger Stadium last Friday in Los Angeles, California. .

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For Freddie Freeman, the story seemed to float.

“It felt like nothing. I was just floating,” he said when asked to speak. describe the feeling to achieve the first grand slam that leaves the World Series had I ever seen.

Freeman’s historic exclamation point in Game 1 of this year’s series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees was an all-time highlight on its own — “as good as it gets,” he said. Freeman later.

“It might be the greatest baseball moment I’ve ever witnessed,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “And I’ve witnessed some great ones.”

But Freeman’s first game grand slam It was just the beginning of a historic World Series performance by the Dodgers first baseman, who was named the series’ MVP after Los Angeles clinched the title with a 7-6 victory in Game 5. .

free man set a major league record for most consecutive World Series games with a home run, a streak of six that began with the final two games of his 2021 series appearance with the Atlanta Braves and continued with the first four games against the Yankees.

Their streak ended in Game 5, but Freeman’s two-RBI single in the fifth inning was key to the Dodgers’ comeback. His 12 RBIs in the five-game series tied a World Series record set in 1960.

Overcoming challenges in 2024

His resume was already enough for a Cooperstown spot in the National Baseball Hall of Fame: the 2020 National League Most Valuable Player, eight All-Star Game appearances, a Gold Glove and three Silver Slugger awards and the 2021 World Series ring.

But this year had been a struggle, by Freeman’s own account. The 35-year-old man had time lost early in the season when her three-year-old son Maximus was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called Guillain-Barré syndrome.

One morning in July, Max woke up with a limp that rapidly worsened; By night, he could no longer walk, Freeman recalled during an emotional news conference in August. Ultimately, the boy was hospitalized and had to be put on a ventilator.

“No one should have to go through this, especially a three-year-old,” Freeman said at the time. “I don’t know how many times (my wife) and I said, ‘I wish we could change.'” He missed eight games before returning to the lineup once his son’s condition began to improve.

Freddie Freeman acknowledges fans’ applause at the plate when he returns to the lineup on August 5, 2024 after missing eight games to be with his son who had been hospitalized.

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So Freeman sprained his ankle in late September during a game against the San Diego Padres, an injury that affected his offensive performance during the Dodgers’ first two playoff series.

Her son is now expected to make a full recovery and his ankle is improving, Freeman said. “A lot has happened these last few months,” he said Friday. “But things have been going very well at home. Max has been doing very well.”

During the World Series, as Freeman electrified fans and the dugout night after night with his home runs, there was one person for whom it was especially meaningful.

After the Game 1 grand slam, Freeman rounded the bases and then ran into the stands to greet your fatherwho was sitting near home plate.

“He’s been throwing to me in batting practice for as long as I can remember. My swing is because of him. My approach is because of him. I am who I am because of him,” Freeman said.

“If he hadn’t thrown at me in batting practice, if he didn’t love baseball, I wouldn’t be here playing this game,” he said. “So that’s Fred Freeman’s moment.”

Freddie Freeman celebrates with his teammates after hitting a grand slam during the tenth inning against the New York Yankees during game one of the 2024 World Series.

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For the rest of the Dodgers, their teammate’s journey has been another source of motivation.

“When you see what Freddie has been through with his ankle injury, and how early he’s getting there, and the time he’s taken away from his family, especially with what’s happened this year, it makes everyone want to join in,” he said. the launcher. Jack Flaherty said after Game 3.

“When you do things the right way, you play the right way, you’re a good teammate, I think the game honors you. And tonight Freddie was honored,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the game. Game 1. “It’s been a challenge.” year for him, but to his credit he’s found a way to keep moving forward for his teammates, so I couldn’t be happier.”