LOS ANGELES — Thirty-six years ago, Kirk Gibson made history with an incredible walk-off home run that became one of baseball’s most iconic moments. On Friday night, it was Freddie Freeman’s turn to create a memorable moment for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In a dramatic 10th inning of the World Series, with the bases loaded and two outs, Freeman launched an inside fastball from Nestor Cortes into the sky, leading the Dodgers to a thrilling 6-3 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 1. The Dodger Stadium crowd of 52,394 erupted in celebration as teammates rushed from the dugout to join the joyous scene. For Freeman, who had battled a severely sprained right ankle throughout the month and navigated a challenging season, it felt surreal. He raised his bat to the heavens and began his slow journey around the bases.
“I felt like nothing,” Freeman said. “Just kind of floating.”
Freeman’s grand slam made him the first player in World Series history to hit a walk-off home run, a feat he found hard to believe. He is now part of an exclusive group, being the third Dodgers player to achieve a walk-off home run in World Series history, following Max Muncy, who last did so in 2018.
Freeman’s accomplishment evoked memories of Gibson, who was the only other player before him to hit a walk-off homer in a World Series opener for the Dodgers, famously doing so against the Oakland Athletics in 1988. While the Dodgers have not won a full-season championship since that year, they are just three wins away from celebrating another title, this time rallying around Freeman.
“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 — two outs, bases loaded in a World Series game,” Freeman reflected. “For it to actually happen and to hit a home run to give us a 1-0 lead, that’s as good as it gets.”
Throughout the early innings, it seemed the Dodgers would struggle to find a breakthrough. They only managed one run against Yankees ace Gerrit Cole in the first six innings, unable to capitalize on numerous scoring opportunities provided by their pitcher, Jack Flaherty.
After Giancarlo Stanton hit a two-run homer for the Yankees in the sixth inning, the Dodgers answered with a leadoff double by Tommy Edman. However, the Dodgers’ celebrated trio of Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freeman were retired in order. They later missed another chance in the seventh with two runners in scoring position and just one out.
Ohtani eventually tied the game in the eighth with a double, scoring after Betts’ sacrifice fly. When Jazz Chisholm Jr. gave the Yankees the lead in the top of the 10th, the Dodgers surged back once again.
With one out, Lux walked and Edman followed with a single, setting the stage for Ohtani. Yankees manager Aaron Boone made an unexpected choice to bring Cortes, who had been recovering from injury, to face Ohtani. After Ohtani’s fly ball resulted in advancing the runners due to a caught interference, the Yankees chose to intentionally walk Betts, creating an opportunity for Freeman.
Freeman recalled how he faced Cortes several times earlier in the season and prepared himself for the pitch. When Cortes threw the fastball, Freeman was ready, and the ball flew off his bat at 109.2 mph, soaring 409 feet into the right-field pavilion.
“I know everybody’s focused on Ohtani, Ohtani, Ohtani,” Cortes said. “We get him out, but Freeman is also a really good hitter. I just couldn’t get the job done today.”
Freeman’s cleats will eventually be donated to the Hall of Fame, but on Friday they were part of an incredible moment as he celebrated with teammates and shared a heartfelt moment with his father, Fred, who watched from the stands.
Freeman has faced several personal challenges this season, including a health scare with his son and injuries to himself. Each day has been a battle.
“He’s doing something that is basically heroic to put himself in a position to even be available,” said Dodgers utility player Enrique Hernandez.
Freeman’s perseverance paid off, especially after resting during the final games before the World Series. After having not played for several days, he made his presence felt in Game 1 with a solid performance and that iconic moment.
With one exception, Freeman pointed out, “I played the whole game,” a nod to Gibson’s legendary moment.