Dodgers star Freddie Freeman makes history with the World Series grand slam

Freddie Freeman's road to baseball stardom began in tree-lined Villa Park, a small neighborhood in Orange County, California, where he spent his childhood playing Wiffle ball with his older brothers, Andrew and Phillip.

“When you're five years old with your two brothers… these are the scenarios you dream about: two outs, bases loaded in a World Series game,” Freeman, 35, reflected after catching the first walk-off. Grand slam hit history in the World Series against the Yankees in Game 1 on Friday night in Los Angeles.

Freeman destroyed the first pitch at 93 miles per hour to Yankees left-handed reliever Nestor Cortes, giving the Dodgers a thrilling 6-3 victory from behind.

With two outs and the bases loaded, Yankees manager Aaron Boone intentionally tackled Mookie Betts, thinking Cortes would have a better chance against the left-handed Freeman. That decision backfired spectacularly as Freeman launched the historic grand slam that landed 423 feet away on the right field pavilion.

There have been 120 Fall Classics in baseball history, but there had never been a grand slam walk-off until Freeman's sprained right ankle and memories of his 15-1 loss to the Mets in the NLCS.

Freeman's home run wasn't just a swing; It was the culmination of a year-long journey marked by adversity — overcoming injuries, missing games because of family emergencies and pushing his team through the ups and downs of the season.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised him: “When you do things right, the game honors you…Tonight, Freddie was honored.”

Freeman held his bat aloft like a torch as he watched the 109 mph line drive reach the right field bleachers, realizing the moment he had imagined as a child.

The 52,394 spectators erupted in ecstasy as they realized that baseball history was being made.

“It felt like nothing, just kind of floating,” he said. With this momentum, Freeman reminded the world that dreams can come true no matter where they begin.

This moment had more than just immediate significance. History suggests it could shape the entire series – teams that won Game 1 have gone on to win the title in 24 of the last 30 World Series, an impressive 80 percent success rate.

“The fact that we got our first win, especially in this way, is pretty good,” Freeman always said modestly. “But we still have three to go.”

Overcoming adversity shaped Freeman's journey to this point. Earlier in the season, he struggled with a broken finger and missed time caring for his son Max, who was temporarily paralyzed due to a neurological disorder. But that night none of that mattered.

“You dream about these moments, even if you’re 35 and have been in the league for 15 years,” Freeman said.

On Friday night, he made that dream a reality and sent a message to young athletes everywhere: No matter where they start, whether in the backyard with a Wiffle ball or on a dirt field with a soccer ball, dreams come true and the game is their honor do it in some way one day – if you have courage, patience and a bit of autumn magic.