Freddie Freeman's World Series MVP journey: How Dodgers IF survived son's battle with Guillan-Barre syndrome to lead team to victory against Yankees
It was fitting that Dodgers infielder Freddie Freeman lifted the Willie Mays World Series MVP award. The individual accolade capped off a challenging season for the first baseman who battled both on-field injuries and off-field issues.
Towards the end of July, Freeman had to go on leave due to his son Maximus getting diagnosed with a neurological disorder called Guillan-Barre syndrome. He made his return after his son showed signs of recovery, missing eight games.
The 35-year-old then suffered a finger injury that put him on the shelf for more games. For a player who has played at least 158 games in seven of the last 10 seasons, he only managed 147 regular season games, batting at .282 with 89 RBIs. A career .300 batter, it was somewhat of a subpar season for the 1B.
His postseason wasn't smooth either, as an ankle sprain suffered in the last week of the regular season troubled him. He missed a game against the Padres in NLDS, and two against the Mets in the NLCS. The former NL MVP's swing looked to be heavily affected, managing just one RBI in eight postseason outings.
However, in the World Series, Freddie Freeman was a batter reborn. In Game 1 he hit a triple and a walk off grand slam to win the game. He went yard on the next three nights to become the first player to hit a homer in the first four games of the Fall Classic.
On Wednesday, Freddie Freeman drove in the Dodgers' second and third runs to take his count to 12 RBIs in five games. In the process, he equalled the World Series record for most RBIs in the Fall Classic held by Bobby Richardson in 1960 for the New York Yankees.
If there was ever any doubt, Freeman has surely confirmed his place among the baseball's greatest in Cooperstown in the Hall of Fame.
Freddie Freeman dedicates award to Dodgers teammate and family
The hallmark of great indivual sportpersons is their ability to stay humble and acknowledge the people who have supported their journey.
Freddie Freeman is a true representation of that category of players, as in his WS MVP acceptance speech, he acknowledged the role of his teammates and his family, wife and three sons.
“I wouldn’t be here without the support of everybody in these shirts tonight. It has been a grind these last three months, but this organization and my family, this is what it’s all about right here," Freeman said.
The eight-time All-Star will be gunning for more success as the 2025 regular season unfolds in March next year.