World Series news: Freddie Freeman praises fans and family after historic Grand Slam

Freddie Freeman thanked his father for teaching him his swing.

He thanked the fans for welcoming him back to Dodger Stadium in August when he missed eight games to be in a hospital with his 3-year-old son.

And as he spoke to reporters at Dodger Stadium after 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, fans thanked him. Chants of “Fred-die, Fred-die” rang out in Chavez Ravine as the sold-out crowd knew they had just witnessed history.

After nearly a month of trying to play through a badly sprained right ankle, Freeman was floating.

“It felt like nothing, it just seemed to kind of float,” he said of his trot around the bases to end the game. “That’s as good as it gets there.”

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 during a September 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 a possible 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 reprieve after eliminating the Mets, and Freeman used his time wisely.

Freddie Freeman was reminded here of Kirk Gibson’s home run in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series. He interrupted the question.

“But I played the whole game.”

— JP Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) October 26, 2024

“I feel like my ankle was in a good place three days ago,” he said, “and I’ve been able to work really hard all week.”

Freeman said he found a cue involving Dodgers coach Robert Van Scoyoc — “think about getting out, but don’t actually get out” — that allowed him to break through and find his power stroke during the intermission before Game 1 of the World Series.

“I started hitting the pitch three days ago and it was a line drive to the shortstop every time,” he said.

More news: Dodgers Fan Makes Incredible Catch on Yankee’s Near-Home Run

On Wednesday, Freeman said the swelling in his right ankle had dropped to its lowest level since he initially suffered the injury.

Freeman arrived at Dodger Stadium about seven hours before the game 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 explosion.

Freeman on the intentional walk that got him to the plate: “We’ve seen it all year. They walked Shohei to get to Mookie, and Mookie to get to me. That’s the good thing about our lineup.”

— JP Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) October 26, 2024

No player had ever before ended a World Series game with a grand slam in his team’s final at bat.

“It might be one of the greatest baseball moments I’ve ever experienced – 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 celebrating a walk-off after a game like that, but it was certainly justified.

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