World Series 2024: Freddie Freeman turns Game 1 into an instant classic with extra innings and walk-off grand slam for the Dodgers

LOS ANGELES – Every day for the past month has been a busy day for Freddie Freeman. He has endured daily treatments and hours of rehab before games, with the only hope being that he can return to fitness after spraining his right ankle in the final week of the season. On many days this postseason, the former MVP himself found it difficult to walk.

But looking for his second World Series and initially with the Dodgers, there was nothing that could keep him from the lineup for Game 1 on Friday. And then the Dodgers were in danger of losing 1-0 to the Yankees. In the World Series, on a night when chances were slipping away from them, the 10th inning offered a greater chance for redemption.

“I think you see the end result,” Freeman said after his team’s 6-3 win. “I watch myself on TV. This trophy is what keeps you going through the hard work every day. …. That’s what makes it worth it to me.”

With the bases full and two outs in the 10th, the stage was set for Freeman, who had struggled to find his swing early in this World Series, a challenge as he struggled with constant ankle swelling. After a flyout by Shohei Ohtani and an intentional walk to Mookie Betts, Freeman was ready to face Nestor Cortes, the Yankees' slick left-hander, with his team down one run.

The Dodgers first baseman hasn't had many moments to make an impact for his team this October. But all it takes is one chance to change that.

A swing. One pitch. One moment. As soon as they heard the crack of the bat, everyone in the packed Dodger Stadium knew what had happened.

Freeman destroyed the first pitch he saw from Cortes, sending a 92.5 mph fastball 409 feet to right field, sending his team to victory. He raised his bat to the sky and placed the Dodgers and the city of Los Angeles on his shoulders.

With that one hit, Freeman turned Game 1 of the 2024 World Series into an instant classic.

“It felt like nothing, just kind of floating,” he said after by far his best swing in weeks. “It's things like that – when you're five years old and you're playing wiffleball in the backyard with your two older brothers – these are the scenarios you dream about. Two outs, bases loaded in a World Series game.

“The fact that it actually happens and we hit a home run and put the ball up 1-0 is the best thing.”

And it wasn't just any walk. The World Series lends itself to something more dramatic. Freeman's walk-off grand slam was the first in World Series history and closed the book on Game 1.

The moments that followed Freeman's swing of a lifetime were pure jubilation as his teammates streamed out of the dugout and celebrated like children on a playground. As 52,394 fans screamed and celebrated in a building that shook as the gentle voice of Randy Newman singing “I Love LA” rained down, Freeman was harassed at the plate.

“It's probably one of the greatest baseball moments I've ever experienced, and I've had some great moments,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the game.

“You don’t see teams celebrating after a game or a walk-off like that, but I just think it was definitely warranted. Man, it was a great game before that, but the way it ended, I just couldn’t be more happy for our guys.”

Starter Jack Flaherty, who pitched 5⅓ innings and gave up just two runs in the contest, said: “I didn’t watch it turn out. He hit it and there was no doubt. … Freddie is incredible.”

It was an instantly iconic moment that can only be matched by the legendary swing of Kirk Gibson, whose walk-off home run in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series is still considered one of baseball's greatest postseason moments. Freeman added his name to that list with his walk-off slam.

He had the swing and the limp. All that was missing was the double fist pump.

“But I played the whole game,” Freeman corrected with a broad smile when asked about the Gibson contest.

Freeman has actually been dealing with a power outage lately. The grand slam was his first long ball since September 16th. He hadn't had an extra-base hit all postseason until his triple in the first inning Friday.

But in Game 1, Freeman looked different. Even before his 10th-inning heroics, there was a confidence that simply wasn't there before. During the NLDS and NLCS, Freeman's routine consisted of a daily grind of simply getting through the game. But going into the biggest fight of his career, he wanted to do damage.

This move from first baseman could be big going forward as he and the Dodgers have regained momentum and confidence heading into Game 2 on Saturday.

“I love the history of this game. To be a part of this is special,” Freeman said. “I've been playing this game for a long time and when you show up in these moments, you dream about these moments. Even if you're 35 and have been in the league for 15 years, you want to belong.

“It’s the kind of energy the crowd brought with them tonight. Game 1 of the World Series is what everyone is talking about all week. It’s pretty good for us to get our first win, especially like that, but we still have three more to go.”

It was an incredible night for Freeman, the Dodgers, this postseason and the World Series, but on a micro level it might have been even more meaningful. After celebrating with his teammates at the plate, Freeman pointed behind the house and ran toward the backstop.

When he got there, his father Fred was waiting for him. And just as father and son spent their entire lives in the backyard, they shared a moment together. This time with more than 50,000 people sharing it with them.

“This is his moment more than anything, because if he didn't give me batting practice – if he didn't love the game of baseball, I wouldn't be here playing this game,” he said. “So this is exactly the moment for Fred Freeman.

“I just wanted to share that with him because he’s been there. He’s been through a lot in his life too, and just to experience a moment like that, I just wanted to be a part of it with him in that moment.”