Freddie Freeman Finally Brings Home a World Series Title After Months of Struggle
NEW YORK – Early Thursday morning, Freddie Freeman was rushing through the tunnel…
Deep within Yankee Stadium.
On that same night, the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their victory as World Series champions. One player stood out and earned the title of Most Valuable Player. In a moment of joy, he sprayed champagne alongside his teammates and shared heartfelt embraces with his father on the field. He also hugged and kissed his wife and son.
Just as he was about to head back into the lively clubhouse, someone brought up a difficult, emotional period from late July—an experience that almost changed everything for him.
Freeman’s eyes filled with tears as he spoke, his voice trembling. He admitted that he felt scared—actually, terrified.
If the doctors hadn’t helped him, he would have missed experiencing this moment, the pinnacle of his baseball journey.
This had nothing to do with his severely sprained right ankle, which kept him in a walking boot. His father, Fred, was there to drive him around for appointments.
In late September, he underwent several hours of treatment each day.
“I watched him endure relentless pushing and prodding,” Fred Freeman remarked. “For an entire week, it was more than what any person should endure, yet he managed it. I can’t think of anyone else who could have handled that.”
This situation was unrelated to his challenges with a sudden loss of strength and missing three out of the first eleven games for the Dodgers.During the postseason games, the performance was limited to just singles and nothing more impactful.
This situation arose because of Freeman’s 3-year-old son, Maximus. In July, he had to step away from the team for eight days and contemplated whether he would return before next spring.
Freeman, now 35 years old, shared with YSL News Sports after the Dodgers’ narrow 7-6 win that many thoughts were racing through his mind during that period.The New York Yankees secured their eighth World Series title, which brought great joy to fans. “I realized I needed to prioritize my family. If Max was going to be okay, then I could go ahead and play,” he stated.
Freeman took a moment before quietly stating, “If Max had never been okay, I probably wouldn’t be here.”
His thoughts drifted back to last summer. One minute, Maximus was happily playing like any typical toddler; then came a call from his wife, Chelsea, informing him that their son was battling for his life.
Maximus spent several days on a ventilator and was in the pediatric intensive care unit for eight days, experiencing a complete loss of sensation below his neck. He was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the nerves.
“The doctors eventually reassured us that Max would recover,” shared Chelsea Freeman, wife of Freddie and mother to their three children. “However, if things had gone differently, I truly believe Freddie would have made the difficult decision to stop everything. It would have been too overwhelming.”
Fred Freeman, who raised his son Freddie and his two siblings on his own after the passing of his wife, Rosemary, from melanoma when Freddie was just 10 years old, doubted whether he could have returned to the Dodgers this year if something had happened to Max.
“Freddie is quite emotional, much like his mother,” Fred Freeman remarked. “That Friday night, we were uncertain if he would pull through. We prayed fervently for him to be with us by morning. They began administering treatment and placed him on a breathing machine.”Max was left unable to move from the neck down and relied on feeding tubes for support. After an intense six-hour period, he managed a slight shoulder shrug, prompting the doctor to assure everyone that he would be okay.
Fast forward three months, and Max has gradually regained his ability to walk and reclaim his identity. Meanwhile, he watched in amazement as his father delivered one of the most remarkable offensive displays in World Series history.
His father achieved a batting average of .300 with an impressive 1.000 OPS, hitting a triple along with four home runs and driving in 12 runs. This performance allowed him to match Bobby Richardson’s record for most RBIs in a World Series set by the 1960 Yankees.
After playing just five games, he made history by joining Babe Ruth as the only player to achieve at least two home runs and a triple in the first two games of a World Series.
His outstanding performance earned him the title of World Series MVP, making him the first first baseman from the Dodgers to receive this honor.
“It really feels like he belongs with the Dodgers now,” said Fred Freeman. “He definitely embodies what it means to be a Dodger. He looks like one, he plays like one, and he truly is one.”
“Considering all the challenges he faced this season, especially with Max’s ankle issues, it was tough for him. But good things finally came his way—and they certainly did.”
“I am incredibly proud of him.”
Regardless of what Freeman achieves in his future career, his performance during this postseason will be remembered as nothing less than extraordinary. He struggled through the first two rounds, took a five-day break between the NL Championship Series and the World Series, and then came back to emerge as the standout player on the field during the most crucial moments of the season.
“He probably shouldn’t have been playing…”
Fred Freeman remarked, “Doc (manager Dave Roberts) told me, ‘Just being there will intimidate them.’”
He ended up delivering a powerful blow to the Yankees, dramatically altering the World Series with a thrilling two-out walk-off grand slam in the 10th inning of Game 1.
The Yankees never fully recovered from that moment, much like how the heavily favored Oakland A’s were shaken in 1988 when Kirk Gibson limped to the plate and hit a dramatic walk-off homer against legendary closer Dennis Eckersley.
“We were feeling pretty optimistic coming into this,” said Max Muncy, the Dodgers’ third baseman. “But then something extraordinary happened, and it really energized us. It felt just right for Freddie to step up like he did in this World Series.”
To recap, he hit the decisive home run during the 10th inning of Game 1, marking the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history.
In Game 2, he launched his second homer in the third inning.
By Game 3, he hit his third homer right off the bat in the first inning, which tied a record for most home runs in a World Series.
His fourth home run came during the first inning of Game 4, establishing a new record.
World Series record.
He nearly hit his fifth home run during the fourth inning of Game 5, but he still managed to drive in two runs during a crucial fifth inning for the Dodgers.
“Freddie won the MVP while playing on one leg,” said Dodgers All-Star right fielder Mookie Betts. “That shows just how talented he is.”
Freeman consistently delivered for his team, even as teammate Shohei Ohtani struggled with a .105 batting average and failed to record an RBI, and Max Muncy went hitless. Nevertheless, Freeman credited his teammates and manager Roberts for their support in achieving those RBIs.
He mentioned that his ability to hit home runs is largely dependent on his teammates getting on base. He acknowledged that he owes much of his success to the excellent doctors and trainers supporting him, and he could not even be playing baseball without the influence of his father.
“This experience has been exceptional,” Freeman expressed. “It feels like we’ve encountered every possible challenge throughout this year, but we managed to overcome each one.”
“This holds great significance for me.”
After embracing and kissing the trophy…After celebrating his World Series victory and lifting the MVP trophy high, he left the stage with his teammates following the award ceremony. They posed together for a group photo in the center of the field. He then made his way to where his family was waiting nearby, embracing his father tightly and expressing his love before sharing hugs with his wife and son.
Next, he sauntered across the field, entered the dugout, and headed to the clubhouse to join in on the festivities. Every few minutes, he paused to take part in interviews as part of the celebration.After receiving word from MLB officials, he learned that he was required to attend a press conference to accept his MVP award. While on his way, he was approached by numerous fans and officials who requested photos with him. Suddenly, he checked the time and realized it was much later than he expected—it was almost 1 a.m. ET, with the team’s flight set to depart at 2:50 a.m. ET.
The Dodgers weren’t planning to leave without him.
Freeman still had one final obligation to fulfill. He was instructed to return to the field for a live interview with MLB Network. Although he agreed, he insisted that his entire family join him on stage. After finishing the interview, he made his way back towards the infield for some family photographs before heading back to the clubhouse.Before making his way back inside, Freeman paused in front of the dugout for a quick interview with “Good Morning America.”
Once he returned, the attendants were busy cleaning up the visiting clubhouse, collecting empty beer cans and champagne bottles. He grabbed his clothes and went to take a shower in preparation for their flight home.
It was going to be a lengthy night ahead, as the Dodgers were not expected to land in Los Angeles until around 6:30 AM. He hoped to catch up on some much-needed sleep.
Despite having a busy schedule, he’s ready for the celebration. The Dodgers are set to hold their first parade since 1988 this Friday in downtown Los Angeles, coinciding with what would have been the 64th birthday of the legendary Fernando Valenzuela.
“What an incredible night,” Freeman expressed. “What an extraordinary season it has been. We faced every challenge imaginable this year, and to come together as a team and triumph is truly something special.”
Freeman’s individual achievements will forever be etched in Dodgers’ history.
“During the entire postseason, Muncy mentioned that they repeatedly assured Freddie, saying, “We’ve got your back. We understand how hard you’re working for us right now.”
In response to their support during the World Series, Freeman expressed, “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. Now it’s my turn to repay you.” And that’s precisely what unfolded.
Freeman attributes this success to the thrilling excitement of the postseason, the joy of victory, and the support and prayers he received for himself and his family.
“I feel incredibly fortunate,” he remarked. “I’m genuinely grateful.”He walked to his locker, took off his uniform for the last time this season, and just like that, the pain in his aching ankle disappeared.
Life can be overwhelming at times, but it also brings immense joy.
“I wish we hadn’t gone through what we did as a family,” Freeman shared. “However, I’m glad to say that Maximus is doing really well now. He’s a remarkable kid, but these past three months have been tough. It truly has been a lot to handle.”
“Of course, with the injuries we’ve faced along the way, it all feels worthwhile in the end.”
“I would never compare Maximus to baseball; they’re entirely different aspects of my life. But when it comes to him…”Maximus, who has been suffering from an ear infection, couldn’t make the six-hour flight to New York for the games. However, everyone will have a chance to see him on Friday. He’ll be at the parade with his family, enjoying the celebration of his dad by the entire city of Los Angeles and the Dodgers organization.
“Freddie was truly remarkable,” said Andrew Friedman, president of baseball operations for the Dodgers. “It’s a fantastic storybook ending to his year and particularly to his October.”
That was incredibly surprising; I doubt that script would have received approval.
“His commitment was remarkable. He arrived seven or eight hours before the game to prepare himself, putting in so much effort to help us win 11 games. His dedication won’t receive nearly enough recognition for everything he endured.”
“Truly incredible, simply astounding.”
