Freddie Freeman’s Grand Slam: The Greatest Baseball Moment Witnessed – LOS ANGELES — It was like witnessing Kirk Gibson all over again. It was reminiscent of Roy Hobbs in The Natural. It was classic Hollywood.
“This might be,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, “the greatest baseball moment I’ve ever witnessed.”
Freddie Freeman, who just a week ago could barely walk on his badly sprained ankle, and who earlier this summer left the team to be with his 3-year-old son fighting for his life, stepped up to the plate on Friday night. In front of a roaring crowd of 52,394, Freeman delivered one of the most dramatic moments in World Series history.
Freddie Freeman’s Grand Slam: The Greatest Baseball Moment Witnessed – Freddie Freeman created a memory
With one swing of the bat, Freddie Freeman etched his name into Dodgers lore with a moment that will never be forgotten—a two-out, walk-off grand slam in the 10th inning, securing a 6-3 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the World Series.
Freeman, attacking the first pitch from Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes, launched a 92-mph fastball deep into the right field pavilion, almost to the exact spot where Kirk Gibson homered in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.
It was the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history and the first walk-off homer on a first pitch since Mickey Mantle’s iconic hit for the Yankees in Game 3 of the 1964 World Series.
As Freddie Freeman stood at home plate, he raised his bat triumphantly, tossed it aside, and slowly rounded the bases while Dodger Stadium erupted, shaking with excitement.
“It felt like I was just floating,” Freddie Freeman said. “These are the moments you dream about when you’re five years old, playing wiffle ball in the backyard with your two older brothers. Two outs, bases loaded in a World Series game… it’s the stuff of childhood dreams.”
Freddie Freeman’s Dreams About those Moments
“You dream about those moments even when you’re 35 and have been in the league for 15 years. You want to be part of them,” Freddie Freeman said. “For it to actually happen, to hit a home run and walk it off, that’s as good as it gets.”
Only three Dodgers players—relievers Blake Treinen, Daniel Hudson, and Ryan Brasier—were even alive when Kirk Gibson hit his iconic homer. But they’ve seen the highlights countless times.
“No shade at Kirk or anything, but I don’t know him,” said Dodgers All-Star right fielder Mookie Betts. “That was before my time. I’m looking at the Freddie Freeman history.”
The 2024 Dodgers are certainly making their own histor. Creating moments they’ll be able to share with their kids and grandkids for years to come.
Dodgers Struggles to Find the Right Words
Dodgers infielder Max Muncy, who has met Kirk Gibson a few times, struggled to find the right words to describe his emotions. After witnessing this incredible moment firsthand.
“I was actually standing on the top step, holding my bat,” said Max Muncy. “I don’t even know why, there was no way I was going to bat that inning. But then Freddie Freeman hit it, and as soon as he did, I just launched my bat.
“In moments like that, the batter usually gives you a clue if they’ve got it. But with Freddie, you don’t always get that because he usually just puts the bat down and runs.
“But this time, when I saw him at home plate, holding the bat high in the air, still standing in the box without even taking a step, I thought, ‘Oh my gosh!'”
As Freeman made his way around the bases, he was greeted by a gauntlet of Dodgers. Waiting to celebrate at home plate. He stomped on the plate, then kept running all the way to the backstop, where his father was seated in the front row.
“It was kind of a spur-of-the-moment thing,” Freddie Freeman said. “I saw my dad hugging a lot of people back there… He was nervous before the game, and I wanted to share that moment because he’s been through a lot, too. To have a moment like that, I wanted to be there with him and make it special.
“It’s mostly his moment because without his batting practice and love for baseball, I wouldn’t be here playing this game.” So that’s Fred Freeman’s moment right there.”
Freddie Freeman stepped away from the team for nearly two weeks while his son Max battled Guillain-Barre syndrome on a ventilator.
Freddie Freeman’s Grand Slam: The Greatest Baseball Moment Witnessed
“I didn’t know what was going to happen, and it was terrifying,” Freeman told USA TODAY Sports. “But I can’t say enough about how incredible this organization was. Everyone reached out, and it felt like they knew exactly when to check in. It was never too much—always just the right amount of space and support at the perfect time. That’s what makes this organization so special.”
This trust was also key in allowing the Dodgers and Freddie Freeman to come up with a plan that would let him play despite his sprained ankle, which isn’t expected to fully heal for another four to six weeks. Freeman had to miss two games of the National League Championship Series, including the clinching win over the New York Mets, but he was determined to be on the field when it mattered most.
Freddie Freeman’s Grand Slam: The Greatest Baseball Moment Witnessed
By winning the NLCS in six games, the Dodgers gave Freddie Freeman an additional five days of rest. He came to Dodger Stadium every day, undergoing five hours of treatment and vowing to be ready for the World Series.
In the first inning, Freeman hit a ball into the left-field corner that slipped past left fielder Alex Verdugo. Before anyone could react, he was racing into third base for a triple.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts’ reaction?
“Stop!” Roberts exclaimed. “He was already in scoring position. I was just happy he came out of it upright.”
Max Muncy added, “Freddie said before the game that he was going to steal the first base and get that Taco Bell deal. We all told him that if he stole a base, we would walk out on the field and take him off ourselves.”
But that’s just Freddie Freeman. When he’s on the field, he plays the game hard and the right way, regardless of how much his ankle hurts.
“He’s a warrior, he’s a fighter,” said Mookie Betts. “A win is a win, but given everything Freddie’s been through, it makes it even more special. I’m really glad it was him who had that moment.”
It was Mookie Betts who set the stage by drawing an intentional walk. With the Dodgers trailing 3-2 in the 10th inning, they had runners on second and third with two outs, and left-hander Nestor Cortes on the mound. Yankees manager Aaron Boone decided to intentionally walk Betts rather than risk facing him, opting instead to pitch to Freddie Freeman.
“It’s kind of pick your poison,” Freddie Freeman said. “That’s the beauty of our lineup. It’s a tough matchup no matter where you are. Once I saw Aaron give the four [signal], I started going through my plan and my process—what I was going to look for and where I was going to look for it.”
Freddie Freeman’s Grand Slam: The Greatest Baseball Moment Witnessed
Freddie Freeman anticipated that Nestor Cortes would throw him a first-pitch fastball, not wanting to fall behind with the bases loaded. When Cortes delivered, Freeman pounced.
“So, I just wanted to be on top of it and be ready for it,” Freeman said, “and I was.”
Mookie Betts turned and watched the ball soar into the stands, jumping into the air and screaming.
“I wanted to stop and wait for him,” Betts said, “but I couldn’t, so I just kept running and screaming.”
The same went for the 50,000 fans who stayed until the end, having learned their lesson from 1988—not wanting to miss out on history.
Now, just three more victories and this team will be forever cherished, winning their first World Series in a full season since 1988.
That team will always be remembered for Kirk Gibson’s home run, the swing that changed the series, and the only plate appearance he had throughout the entire series.
Freddie Freeman’s Grand Slam: The Greatest Baseball Moment Witnessed
The Freddie Freeman home run could carry the same emotional weight, but the key difference is that Freeman will keep playing and isn’t about to miss any games now.
“He’s given us everything,” Max Muncy said. “He’s literally given us his body.”
Just like Gibson, right?
“I don’t know; Freddie was moving pretty well—he had a triple tonight,” Muncy said with a laugh. “So, I’m not sure you can compare that. From everything I’ve heard, Gibson was basically playing on one leg…
“But what Freddie has done is incredible. There have been several times we’ve had to go to him and say, ‘Hey, you need to sit this one out. We’ve got you tonight. Just be ready for the next game.’ But if you know Freddie, that’s not an easy conversation to have.”
Given how he looked on Friday, the Dodgers believe Freeman will be just fine for the rest of the series. His teammates noted that he started moving much better just two days ago.
“I’m pretty sure he’s still in a lot of pain,” said Dodgers outfielder Enrique Hernandez, “but it’s not like that one game in New York where he couldn’t even swing the bat. That’s why those off days were so important.
“Now, he’s doing something that’s almost heroic. Freddie’s Freddie, man. He’s a grinder. There aren’t many superstars who work as hard as he does.
“He’s a Hall of Famer, and this was a special moment in his career. It’s a great sign for what’s to come for him.”
Freddie Freeman arrived 6 ½ hours before game time for treatment and plans to do the same for Game 2 on Saturday. He isn’t sure how he’ll feel when he wakes up or if he’ll be in pain. Regardless, he’ll be in the lineup.
“Winning a World Series is everything,” Freeman said. “I will do everything I can to be out there.”
No one who knows Freddie Freeman would expect anything less.
