Freddie Freeman has essentially done it all in Major League Baseball.
He is an eight-time All-Star, five-time All-MLB Team member, and a former National League (NL) MVP. The owner of several regular season awards, Freeman has now added a prestigious title to his name: World Series MVP.
On Wednesday, the 35-year-old and the Los Angeles Dodgers claimed the 2024 World Series title, defeating the New York Yankees 7-6 in Game 5 to secure the series four games to one.
This victory marks the eighth championship in Dodgers franchise history and Freeman’s second career title, adding to the championship he won with the Atlanta Braves three years prior.
Despite entering the Fall Classic with a sprained ankle, Freeman quickly quelled any concerns for Dodgers fans with a history-making performance in Game 1, establishing himself as the team’s standout player throughout the series.
Winning means everything to Freeman.
“This is everything,” he expressed after being named World Series MVP. “I wouldn’t be here without the support of everybody in these shirts tonight. It’s been a grind these last three months… this is it right here.”
Freeman was referencing the health challenges of his three-year-old son Max, who was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological disorder, earlier this year.
In July, Max went into full paralysis, prompting Freeman to leave the Dodgers to be with his family at the hospital. Fortunately, doctors later indicated a recovery was possible, and Freeman rejoined the team in August.
“These have been the hardest and scariest days of our lives,” Freeman’s wife, Chelsea, shared on Instagram. “Maximus is such a special boy, and he has been fighting so hard. This is going to be a journey to recover, but we have faith that he will be completely healed.”
After Game 5, Freeman remarked, “I’ll never compare Maximus to baseball… It’s just two separate things, but with him doing really well now, it does mean a little bit extra.”
Born in Fountain Valley, California, in 1989 to Canadian-born parents, Freeman displayed an exceptional talent for baseball from a young age. By age six, his tee-ball hitting was so powerful that he practiced with children twice his age.
He played college baseball at California State University, Fullerton, and was drafted 78th overall in the 2007 MLB draft by the Braves. He made his major league debut in 2010, launching a stellar 12-year career with Atlanta.
Freeman became the Braves’ starting first baseman in 2011 and quickly established himself as one of the premier players in baseball. During his tenure in Atlanta, he was selected for the All-Star Game in 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2021, while also earning the Gold Glove Award in 2018 and the Silver Slugger Award in the following three seasons.
Freeman was named NL MVP during the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, ultimately completing his resume with a World Series title with the Braves in 2021.
After his championship run with the Braves, Freeman entered free agency hoping to remain with Atlanta. However, negotiations faltered, leading the Braves to acquire first baseman Matt Olson. Freeman bid farewell to the organization he once called home and signed with the Dodgers on a six-year, $162 million contract before the 2022 season.
His commitment and love for the Braves were vividly illustrated when the Dodgers visited Atlanta in June 2022, marking Freeman’s first return to Truist Park since leaving. He broke down in tears during his first press conference and received a warm and emotional welcome from Braves fans when he collected his 2021 championship ring.
Over the last three years with the Dodgers, Freeman has remained an All-Star and continues to be recognized as one of the most clutch players in the league.
Heading into this World Series, Freeman faced challenges, as he was recovering from an ankle injury that raised doubts about his performance. However, he proved his resilience by delivering a historic walk-off grand slam in Game 1, marking the first of its kind in World Series history. He went on to hit home runs in Games 2, 3, and 4, breaking the record for homers in six consecutive Fall Classic games.
“He’s tougher than I am, that’s for sure,” said Freeman’s father after Game 5. “I don’t know any other person who could have done that.”
In Game 5, Freeman recorded a crucial two-out, two-RBI single, propelling the Dodgers back from a five-run deficit to tie the game, showcasing his knack for coming through under pressure.
“To come through in those situations, that’s what you dream about as a kid,” Freeman reflected post-game. “Right now, I’m just ecstatic.”
Fans admire Freeman not just for his outstanding talent but also for his amicable personality and leadership among peers.
“I don’t know what I’d do without him, quite honestly,” Braves manager Brian Snitker noted. “He’s my rock. I go to him with things. He’s everything the Braves stand for.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts echoed similar sentiments: “All-encompassing, he’s my favorite player to be around, as far as what he does for the culture, the organization, the team.”
This year, MLB players voted Freeman as the friendliest infielder to chat with, demonstrating the respect he commands throughout the league.
Freeman, who has tied the all-time record for RBIs in a single World Series with 12, underlined the importance of teamwork: “12 RBIs means there were a lot of my teammates on base.”
Although born in the US, Freeman has chosen to represent Canada internationally, a tribute to his late mother, who passed away from melanoma skin cancer when he was ten. “In my heart, honoring my mother and playing for Team Canada is the right decision,” he stated.
Freeman’s story is not just about baseball; it’s about resilience, commitment, and honoring family, making him a beloved figure both on and off the field.
Plain Text Version
Freddie Freeman has essentially done it all in Major League Baseball. He is an eight-time All-Star, five-time All-MLB Team member, and a former National League (NL) MVP. The owner of several regular season awards, Freeman has now added a prestigious title to his name: World Series MVP.
On Wednesday, the 35-year-old and the Los Angeles Dodgers claimed the 2024 World Series title, defeating the New York Yankees 7-6 in Game 5 to secure the series four games to one. This victory marks the eighth championship in Dodgers franchise history and Freeman’s second career title, adding to the championship he won with the Atlanta Braves three years prior.
Despite entering the Fall Classic with a sprained ankle, Freeman quickly quelled any concerns for Dodgers fans with a history-making performance in Game 1, establishing himself as the team’s standout player throughout the series. Winning means everything to Freeman. “This is everything,” he expressed after being named World Series MVP. “I wouldn’t be here without the support of everybody in these shirts tonight. It’s been a grind these last three months… this is it right here.”
Freeman was referencing the health challenges of his three-year-old son Max, who was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological disorder, earlier this year. In July, Max went into full paralysis, prompting Freeman to leave the Dodgers to be with his family at the hospital. Fortunately, doctors later indicated a recovery was possible, and Freeman rejoined the team in August.
“These have been the hardest and scariest days of our lives,” Freeman’s wife, Chelsea, shared on Instagram. “Maximus is such a special boy, and he has been fighting so hard. This is going to be a journey to recover, but we have faith that he will be completely healed.”
After Game 5, Freeman remarked, “I’ll never compare Maximus to baseball… It’s just two separate things, but with him doing really well now, it does mean a little bit extra.”
Born in Fountain Valley, California, in 1989 to Canadian-born parents, Freeman displayed an exceptional talent for baseball from a young age. By age six, his tee-ball hitting was so powerful that he practiced with children twice his age. He played college baseball at California State University, Fullerton, and was drafted 78th overall in the 2007 MLB draft by the Braves. He made his major league debut in 2010, launching a stellar 12-year career with Atlanta.
Freeman became the Braves’ starting first baseman in 2011 and quickly established himself as one of the premier players in baseball. During his tenure in Atlanta, he was selected for the All-Star Game in 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2021, while also earning the Gold Glove Award in 2018 and the Silver Slugger Award in the following three seasons.
Freeman was named NL MVP during the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, ultimately completing his resume with a World Series title with the Braves in 2021. After his championship run with the Braves, Freeman entered free agency hoping to remain with Atlanta. However, negotiations faltered, leading the Braves to acquire first baseman Matt Olson. Freeman bid farewell to the organization he once called home and signed with the Dodgers on a six-year, $162 million contract before the 2022 season.
His commitment and love for the Braves were vividly illustrated when the Dodgers visited Atlanta in June 2022, marking Freeman’s first return to Truist Park since leaving. He broke down in tears during his first press conference and received a warm and emotional welcome from Braves fans when he collected his 2021 championship ring.
Over the last three years with the Dodgers, Freeman has remained an All-Star and continues to be recognized as one of the most clutch players in the league. Heading into this World Series, Freeman faced challenges, as he was recovering from an ankle injury that raised doubts about his performance. However, he proved his resilience by delivering a historic walk-off grand slam in Game 1, marking the first of its kind in World Series history. He went on to hit home runs in Games 2, 3, and 4, breaking the record for homers in six consecutive Fall Classic games.
“He’s tougher than I am, that’s for sure,” said Freeman’s father after Game 5. “I don’t know any other person who could have done that.”
In Game 5, Freeman recorded a crucial two-out, two-RBI single, propelling the Dodgers back from a five-run deficit to tie the game, showcasing his knack for coming through under pressure.
“To come through in those situations, that’s what you dream about as a kid,” Freeman reflected post-game. “Right now, I’m just ecstatic.”
Fans admire Freeman not just for his outstanding talent but also for his amicable personality and leadership among peers. “I don’t know what I’d do without him, quite honestly,” Braves manager Brian Snitker noted. “He’s my rock. I go to him with things. He’s everything the Braves stand for.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts echoed similar sentiments: “All-encompassing, he’s my favorite player to be around, as far as what he does for the culture, the organization, the team.”
This year, MLB players voted Freeman as the friendliest infielder to chat with, demonstrating the respect he commands throughout the league. Freeman, who has tied the all-time record for RBIs in a single World Series with 12, underlined the importance of teamwork: “12 RBIs means there were a lot of my teammates on base.”
Although born in the US, Freeman has chosen to represent Canada internationally, a tribute to his late mother, who passed away from melanoma skin cancer when he was ten. “In my heart, honoring my mother and playing for Team Canada is the right decision,” he stated. Freeman’s story is not just about baseball; it’s about resilience, commitment, and honoring family, making him a beloved figure both on and off the field.
Recorded a crucial two-out, two-RBI single, propelling the Dodgers back from a five-run deficit to tie the game, showcasing his knack for coming through under pressure. “To come through in those situations, that’s what you dream about as a kid,” Freeman reflected post-game. “Right now, I’m just ecstatic.”Fans admire Freeman not just for his outstanding talent but also for his amicable personality and leadership among peers. “I don’t know what I’d do without him, quite honestly,” Braves manager Brian Snitker noted. “He’s my rock. I go to him with things. He’s everything the Braves stand for.” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts echoed similar sentiments: “All-encompassing, he’s my favorite player to be around, as far as what he does for the culture, the organization, the team.”
This year, MLB players voted Freeman as the friendliest infielder to chat with, demonstrating the respect he commands throughout the league. Freeman, who has tied the all-time record for RBIs in a single World Series with 12, underlined the importance of teamwork: “12 RBIs means there were a lot of my teammates on base.”
Although born in the US, Freeman has chosen to represent Canada internationally, a tribute to his late mother, who passed away from melanoma skin cancer when he was ten. “In my heart, honoring my mother and playing for Team Canada is the right decision,” he stated.
Freeman’s story is not just about baseball; it’s about resilience, commitment, and honoring family, making him a beloved figure both on and off the field.