Freddie Freeman thanked his father for teaching him his swing.
He thanked fans for welcoming him back to Dodger Stadium in August, when he missed eight games to be with his 3-year-old son in a hospital.
And as he spoke to reporters inside Dodger Stadium following his walkoff grand slam in the 10th inning of the Dodgers’ 6-3 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday, the fans thanked him. Chants of “Fred-die, Fred-die” rang out inside Chavez Ravine, the sold-out crowd knowing they had just witnessed history.
After grinding through nearly a month trying to play through a badly sprained right ankle, Freeman was floating.
“It felt like nothing, just kind of floating,” he said of his trot around the bases to end the game. “That’s as good as it gets right there.”
Steph Chambers/Getty Images
Freeman did not play in Games 4 and 6 of the Dodgers’ National League Championship Series against the New York Mets, as manager Dave Roberts opted to rest the All-Star first baseman.
The 35-year-old veteran sprained his ankle in a Sept. 26 game against the San Diego Padres running through first base. Unbeknownst to fans, Freeman was told at the time of the injury that he would need 4 to 6 weeks to recover.
More news: Dodgers All-Star in Lineup 10 Days After Suffering Potential Season-Ending Injury
Ten days later, Freeman was in the Dodgers’ starting lineup for Game 1 of the NL Division Series.
The Dodgers got a four-day respite after eliminating the Mets, and Freeman used his time wisely.
Freddie Freeman was reminded of Kirk Gibson’s home run in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series here. He interrupted the question.
“I played the whole game, though.”
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) October 26, 2024
“I just feel like my ankle was in a good spot about three days ago,” he said, “and I’ve been able to work really hard the course of the week.”
Freeman said he found a cue with Dodgers hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc — “think step out, but not actually step out” — that allowed him to break through and find his power stroke during the down time before Game 1 of the World Series.
“I started hitting on the field three days ago and it was a line drive to the shortstop every time,” he said.
More news: Dodgers Fan Makes Incredible Catch of Yankee’s Near-Home Run
On Wednesday, Freeman said the swelling in his right ankle was down to its lowest level since he originally sustained the injury.
Freeman arrived at Dodger Stadium some seven hours before game time to begin treatment on the ankle Friday. His night ended when Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes Jr. walked Mookie Betts, a right-handed hitter, to set up Freeman for the historic blast.
Freeman on the intentional walk that brought him to the plate: “We’ve been seeing it all year. They’ve been walking Shohei to get to Mookie, walking Mookie to get to me. That’s what’s good about our lineup.”
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) October 26, 2024
No player had ever ended a World Series game with a grand slam in his team’s final at-bat before.
“It’s arguably one of the, might be the greatest baseball moment I’ve ever witnessed — and I’ve witnessed some great ones,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Once they decided to walk Mookie I just felt good with Freddie at the plate. That swing, you knew it was gone. You don’t see teams celebrate a walk-off after a game like that, but it was certainly warranted.
For more World Series news, visit Newsweek Sports.
