LOS ANGELES — Every day of the past month has been a grind for Freddie Freeman. He has gone through daily treatment and hours of rehab before games, with only the hope that he can suit up after spraining his right ankle during the last week of the regular season. Many days this postseason, even the act of walking was difficult for the former MVP.
But in search of his second World Series title and first with the Dodgers, nothing was going to keep him out of the lineup for Friday’s Game 1. And then, with the Dodgers in danger of going down 1-0 to the Yankees, on a night when opportunities slipped through their hands, the 10th inning offered one more shot at redemption.
“I think you see the end result,” Freeman said after his team’s 6-3 victory. “I’m looking at myself on the TV. This trophy is what makes you go through the grind every day. …. That’s what’s worth it for me.”
With the bases loaded and two outs in the 10th, the stage was set for Freeman, who came into this World Series struggling to find his swing, a challenge as he dealt with constant swelling in the ankle. After a flyout by Shohei Ohtani and an intentional walk to Mookie Betts, Freeman was set to face the Yankees’ crafty left-hander Nestor Cortes with his team down one run.
The Dodgers’ first baseman hasn’t had many moments this October when he could come through for his team. It took only one chance to change that.
One swing. One pitch. One moment. As soon as they heard the crack of the bat, everyone in a packed Dodger Stadium knew what had happened.
Freddie Freeman didn’t wait long to make history vs. Nestor Cortes
Freeman demolished the first pitch he saw from Cortes, launching a 92.5 mph fastball 409 feet into right field and sending his team to victory. Lifting his bat to the sky, he put the Dodgers and the city of Los Angeles on his shoulders.
With that one swing, Freeman turned Game 1 of the 2024 World Series into an instant classic.
“It felt like nothing, just kind of floating,” Freeman said after what was easily his best swing in weeks. “Those are the kind of things — when you’re 5 years old with your two older brothers, and you’re playing wiffle ball in the backyard — those are the scenarios you dream about. Two outs, bases loaded in a World Series game.
“For it to actually happen and get a home run and walk it off to give us a 1-0 lead, that’s as good as it gets right there.”
And it wasn’t just any walk-off. The World Series lends itself to something…