"He spanked it for game" - Bradley Beal drops awestruck reaction to Freddie Freeman hitting first walk-off grand slam in World Series history
Freddie Freeman hit a bases-loaded grand slam to beat the Yankees 6-3 in 10 innings as the Dodgers took Game 1 of the 2024 World Series. Bradley Beal, who was on the bench playing during the Lakers-Suns matchup taking place simultaneously, dropped a priceless reaction.
"Oh he spanked it for game....Freddie Freeman...Ohh," Beal said.
The Suns guard looked up in utter amazement at the Crypto.com Arena screen which was screening the final moments of Game 1 of the Fall Classic. The look of shock and awe on Beal's face was evident as many Lakers fans in the arena erupted in unison when their hometown Dodgers secured a walkoff win in dramatic fashion.
The moment was reminiscent of Game 1 of the 1988 World Series, where Dodgers MVP Kirk Gibson hit a walkoff home run against Oakland Athletics closer Dennis Eckersley battling debilitating injuries to both legs. Freeman, who has been battling a painful ankle sprain, has similarly provided a signature moment in the first Yankees-Dodgers World Series matchup in 43 years.
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid also reacted to Freeman's instantly iconic moment. The 2023 NBA MVP is an avid baseball fan and took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to make his opinions known.
Game 2 of the World Series will get underway on Sunday with the Yankees looking to bounce back from this chastening loss. The odds will be stacked against them in the pursuit of their first Commissioner's Trophy in 15 years.
According to MLB.com, in the best-of-seven postseason series, teams winning Game 1 have gone on to take the series 125 of 191 times (65%). That includes 23 of 29 times (79%) in the World Series since 1995.
Freddie Freeman's walk-off is the high point in a historic day for LA sport
No less than four premier sporting events were scheduled to take place around Los Angeles on Friday. Game 1 of the World Series coincided with the NBA regular season matchup between the Suns and Lakers, the USC Trojans college football contest with the Rutgers and the East LA Classic High School football game at SoFi Stadium.
While the results of the other games may soon be forgotten by fans, Freeman's grand slam will live long in the memory of the city's sports fans. The leadup to the World Series has been emotional for the Dodgers, with the death of beloved legend Fernando Valenzuela days before the Fall Classic began. If Game 1 was a sign of things to come, a tumultuous ride awaits the Dodger faithful.