LOS ANGELES — Thirty-six years ago, Kirk Gibson made baseball history with an iconic walk-off home run, putting the Los Angeles Dodgers on the map in the World Series. On Friday night, Freddie Freeman etched his name alongside Gibson’s legacy in the game’s annals.
With the bases full, two outs, and the Dodgers down by one in the 10th inning of a thrilling World Series opener, Freeman hit an inside fastball from Nestor Cortes into the stands, leading the Dodgers to a dramatic 6-3 victory over the New York Yankees.
The atmosphere was electric at Dodger Stadium, with a packed crowd of 52,394 erupting in celebration. Teammates rushed from the dugout, sharing in the jubilation. For Freeman, who battled a severe ankle sprain and a challenging season, the moment felt like a dream. He raised his bat skyward and completed a euphoric lap around the bases.
“I felt like nothing,” Freeman said. “Just kind of floating.”
Freeman’s achievement marked a significant milestone, making him the first player in World Series history to hit a walk-off grand slam. He also joined an exclusive group as the third player in Dodgers history to hit a walk-off home run in the World Series, following his teammate Max Muncy, who last did it in 2018.
Notably, Freeman’s moment echoed the legendary Gibson, who provided a walk-off win for the Dodgers in the 1988 World Series. Gibson’s memorable home run under challenging circumstances helped the Dodgers secure a title that year. While they haven’t won a championship in a full season since, they are now just three wins away from another opportunity with Freeman leading the charge.
“When you’re 5 years old with your two older brothers playing whiffle ball in the backyard, those are the scenarios you dream about — two outs, bases loaded in a World Series game,” Freeman reflected. “To actually happen, getting a home run and walking it off to give us a 1-0 lead, that’s as good as it gets.”
The night had not always seemed favorable for the Dodgers. They struggled against Yankees ace Gerrit Cole during the first six innings, with only one run scored. After Giancarlo Stanton hit a two-run homer for the Yankees, the Dodgers managed to get a leadoff double from Tommy Edman but failed to capitalize when their star players—Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freeman—were retired in succession.
In a critical moment, Ohtani evened the game in the eighth inning with a double, allowing him to score on Betts’ sacrifice fly. As Jazz Chisholm Jr. secured the go-ahead run for the Yankees in the 10th, the Dodgers were ready to answer.
When Lux walked and Edman singled, the stage was set for an intense showdown with Ohtani at the plate. Yankees manager Aaron Boone made the surprising decision to bring in Cortes from the bullpen to face Ohtani, which led to an unexpected turn of events.
Freeman, preparing for his opportunity, drew on his past experiences facing Cortes and focused on staying disciplined for the right pitch. When the moment arrived, he responded decisively, launching the ball at 109.2 mph, sending it a resounding 409 feet.
“I know everybody’s focused on Ohtani,” Cortes acknowledged. “We get him out, but Freeman is also a really good hitter. I just couldn’t get the job done today.”
As the game concluded, Freeman planned to donate his Under Armour cleats to the Hall of Fame, but for that moment, he was surrounded by teammates and shared the excitement with his father, Fred Freeman, who had been his lifelong coach and supporter.
“My swing is because of him. My approach is because of him,” Freeman said. “I am who I am because of him.”
Freeman’s journey has been tumultuous, including his son’s recovery from Guillain-Barré syndrome and his own injuries, including a non-displaced fracture in his right middle finger and a rolled ankle. The past three months have tested his resilience, but his teammates recognized his determination.
“Freddie’s a competitor, a fighter,” Betts noted. “It couldn’t happen to a better human being.”
After his ankle held up during the National League Championship Series, Freeman was ready for Game 1 of the World Series, marking a triumphant return to the field. His first at-bat resulted in a triple, paving the way for his grand slam later in the game—a fitting way to honor the legacy of Gibson by playing a complete game and leading the Dodgers to victory.