"I just hope she is proud of me" - When Freddie Freeman broke down while remembering his late mother Rosemary in an emotional interview
Los Angeles Dodgers fans won't forget star first baseman Freddie Freeman's heroics, which led the NL West team to their eighth World Series title. The All-Star first baseman overcame personal hardships, including his youngest son Max's illness in August and an ankle injury he carried during the postseason.
Freeman is not new to overcoming setbacks, as the Dodgers star lost his mother, Rosemary, to cancer (melanoma) when he was just 10 years old. In an interview during the World Baseball Classic in Mar. 2023, Freeman was overpowered by emotions talking about his mother, explaining why he chose to represent Canada despite being born in California.
"I just hope she is proud of me," Freeman said while holding back his tears.
Freeman took a deep breath, recalled his thoughts, and continued:
"23 years, but it never goes away. That's all I want. I hope she is smiling down."
Freddie Freeman's parents were born in Canada and met there. However, Freddie's father moved to California after his grandfather's permanent transfer.
The Dodgers star has actively supported charity work since becoming a pro and has collaborated with the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) to spread awareness about the deadly disease that his mother fought against before her death.
Freddie Freeman honors his mother every time he steps on the field
Freddie Freeman's sleeves have been a trademark in the MLB over the years. During the same interview, Freeman revealed the reason behind wearing them.
"To play, it's to honor my mom. And if most Dodger fans don't know, I do. There's a lot of things that go into each game that I do for remembering my mom," Freeman said.
"I wear sleeves every game, that is for my mom because she passed away of King's cancer. So, every time I put on my tight sleeves, it makes me think of her."
Freddie Freeman's father took care of him and his two brothers after his mother's death.