Freddie Freeman‘s Historic Walk-Off Grand Slam Lifts Dodgers to Game 1 Victory in World Series
The swing was honed on the sandlots of suburban Orange County, the product of years of daily batting practice between a son and his dad.
On almost every afternoon of his Southern California childhood, Freddie Freeman would get picked up from school by his father, Fred, bring a bucket of exactly 48 baseballs to a field near their house, then take an hour of hacks off balls Fred flipped to him.
It’s the way Freeman’s swing was first crafted as a young player — a routine that, decades later on Friday night, served as the genesis of unforgettable October history.
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th inning, and the Dodgers one out away from defeat to the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the World Series, Freeman etched his name into postseason lore, giving an instant autumn classic a raucous storybook ending.
In a first for the sport, Freeman hit the walk-off grand slam, lifting the Dodgers to a 6-3 Game 1 win.
As he was mobbed by teammates and celebrated by more than 50,000 fans, Freeman immediately sought out his dad in the crowd.
“My swing is because of him. My approach is because of him. I am who I am because of him,” Freeman said of Fred, whom he greeted with a two-handed high five behind home plate.
“You couldn’t script it any better,” Fred added, still standing in his field-level seats as pandemonium ensued around him. “For his year, the way it happened, it’s unbelievable … It’s just amazing.”
This victory was especially poignant for Freeman, who had faced a difficult season marked by personal challenges, including his 3-year-old son Max’s battle with Guillain-Barré syndrome in August and a sprained ankle during the last week of the regular season.
Despite these hurdles, Freeman played through the injury with extensive pregame treatment and modified batting practices.
“He’s doing something that is basically heroic, to put himself in a position to even be available,” teammate Kiké Hernández said. “Freddie is a grinder. Not too many superstars grind the way Freddie does.”
A week off leading up to the World Series aided Freeman’s recovery, and he found a new mental cue to help his swing mechanics amidst his injury.
“He told me yesterday, ‘Dad, I think I’m gonna hit well,’” Fred recalled, chuckling at the irony of his son’s confidence.
Freeman set the tone early with a first-inning triple, showcasing his resilience as the Dodgers navigated through a challenging game filled with lead changes.
The game remained tied at 2-2 until the 10th inning, when Jazz Chisholm Jr. scored, setting the stage for Freeman’s climactic at-bat.
With the bases loaded, the Yankees opted to intentionally walk Mookie Betts, prompting Freddie to step up to the plate facing left-hander Nestor Cortes.
Freeman, anticipating a fastball, seized the moment, connecting with the ball and sending it soaring into the right-field pavilion—a moment reminiscent of Kirk Gibson’s iconic home run in the 1988 World Series.
Freddie Freeman lifts hits bat immediately after hitting a walk-off grand slam to lift the Dodgers to a 6-3 win over the Yankees in Game 1 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium on Friday.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Freeman’s celebration involved shared high-fives with teammates and an emotional moment with his father, showcasing their deep bond. “I just wanted to share that with him because he’s been there [for me],” Freeman said. “He’s been through a lot in his life too. And just to have a moment like that, I just wanted to be a part of that with him.”
Reflecting on their years of practice together, Freeman stated, “All the batting practice, all the relentless hours we spent together on a baseball field, we still do it in the off-seasons together. If he didn’t throw me batting practice, if he didn’t love the game of baseball, I wouldn’t be here playing this game. So that’s Fred Freeman’s moment right there.”
This moment was truly destined to live forever—one cultivated over decades and culminating in an iconic playoff performance.
Discussion
In light of Freeman’s monumental achievement, we invited several baseball experts to share their insights:
Dr. Amy Levinson – Sports Psychologist: “Freeman’s mental fortitude is a testament to the immense psychological demands placed on athletes during high-pressure situations.”
Mark Thompson – MLB Analyst: “This moment not only reaffirms Freeman’s elite status but also showcases the Dodgers’ resilience amidst adversities.”
Laura Chang – Former MLB Player: “Witnessing this level of emotion is what makes baseball so special. Moments like this resonate for fans beyond the game.”
What do you think about Freeman’s walk-off grand slam? How does it compare to other monumental baseball moments? Share your thoughts in the comments below!