LOS ANGELES — Three decades and six years ago, Kirk Gibson famously emerged from the trainer’s room to hit one of baseball’s most iconic walk-off home runs. On Friday night, Freddie Freeman created his own memorable moment.
With bases loaded and the Los Angeles Dodgers behind by a run in the 10th inning of a much-anticipated World Series opener, Freeman connected with an inside fastball from Nestor Cortes. The result was a grand slam that propelled the Dodgers to a thrilling 6-3 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 1.
The energy at Dodger Stadium was electric as a sellout crowd of 52,394 erupted in celebration. Teammates rushed from the dugout, celebrating with unrestrained joy. For Freeman, who had been limited all month by a severe sprain to his right ankle, it felt like a snapshot in time, as he raised his bat in triumph and rounded the bases.
“I felt like nothing,” Freeman reflected. “Just kind of floating.”
Freeman made history by becoming the first player ever to hit a walk-off grand slam in World Series history, a feat that left him in disbelief. He joined the ranks of only three Dodgers players to have hit a walk-off homer in a World Series, the last being his teammate, Max Muncy, in 2018.
His accomplishment resonated for its connection to Gibson, the only other player to achieve a walk-off win in a World Series opening game for the Dodgers, back in 1988 against Oakland. The team rallied around Gibson’s spirit during that championship run, and now they are three wins away from doing the same for Freeman.
Freeman shared his childhood dreams of moments like this, saying, “When you’re 5 years old with your two older brothers and you’re playing whiffle ball in the backyard, those are the scenarios you dream about.”
Throughout the game, it appeared the Dodgers might struggle to score. They managed just one run against Yankees ace Gerrit Cole in the first six innings. Following a two-run homer from Giancarlo Stanton, Freeman and the Dodgers faced an uphill battle.
Shohei Ohtani finally tied the game in the eighth with a double and subsequent run on a sacrifice fly from Mookie Betts. However, the Yankees regained the lead in the 10th, but the Dodgers rallied once more.
In a surprising move, Yankees manager Aaron Boone called upon Cortes from the bullpen to face Freeman, despite the pitcher having been sidelined due to injury. Freeman, recalling his previous encounters with Cortes, was ready for the challenge.
“I wanted to be on time,” Freeman stated, and he certainly was, as his hit soared 409 feet at 109.2 mph into the right-field pavilion.
“I know everybody’s focused on Ohtani, Ohtani, Ohtani,” Cortes admitted. “We got him out, but Freeman is also a really good hitter.”
Freeman’s cleats will soon be donated to the Hall of Fame. As he celebrated at home plate, he made a spontaneous decision to run over to embrace his father, Fred, who was overwhelmed with pride.
“My swing is because of him. My approach is because of him,” Freeman expressed.
This journey has been anything but easy for Freeman. He faced personal challenges, including his son’s health scare and his own injuries this season. Yet he fought through it all to be in a position to play.
“He’s doing something that is basically heroic,” said Dodgers utility player Enrique Hernandez.
Freeman’s determination paid off on Friday night, as he not only played the entire game but also left an unforgettable mark on baseball history, reminiscent of Gibson’s legendary moment.