Freddie Freeman makes his feelings known on close friend Mookie Betts' intentional walk in Game 1 of Dodgers-Yankees World Series: “I'm not annoyed”
On Tuesday, Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Freddie Freeman made an appearance on the popular talk show, "Jimmy Kimmel Live!". While on the show, the recently crowned World Series champion talked about a multitude of topics related to the Dodgers' big win, including the New York Yankees choosing to walk Mookie Betts in the 10th inning of Game 1.
With the Yankees holding onto a 3-2 lead in what would end up being the last inning, the Dodgers had runners at second and third with two outs. Despite Freeman's great record against left-handed pitching, the Yankees chose to walk Betts to allow the Dodgers' first baseman to face make-shift closer Nestor Cortes. What followed was a legendary World Series moment, as Freeman hit a game-winning grand slam off the first pitch he faced, to cue delirium at Dodger Stadium.
Speaking on his frame of mind as he walked up to bat, the 35-year-old said:
"I'm not annoyed [that they preferred to face me instead of Betts]. Once I saw them(runners) get second and third off Shohei's foulout, I kinda knew, just left-on-left, it's kind of the matchup [that suited me]," Freeman said [1:47]
"I was replaying my process I was going to go with. I wasn't really thinking about Mookie getting walked, I was just going over my plan in that moment," Freeman added [1:55]
Freeman crowned World Series MVP, wins second ring
The Dodgers completed an incredible comeback to beat the New York Yankees 7-6 in Game 5 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium, sealing a 4-1 series win. For Freeman, this is his second time capturing baseball's biggest prize, having won it once before during his time with the Atlanta Braves.
Freeman had even more cause for celebration as he was named MVP for the World Series. Coming into the playoffs with an injured ankle and sustaining an injury to his ribs along the way, even the most optimistic of Dodgers supporters would have doubted if Freeman would be able to play to his full potential in the biggest series of the season. Freeman emphatically put those doubts to bed as he batted .300 with four home runs and 12 RBIs during the series, making him an obvious choice for MVP.
With plenty of time to now recover from the various knocks he picked up in the second half of the season, fans will be hoping Freeman and Co. can come back motivated to do it all again in 2025.