Los Angeles Dodger first baseman Freddie Freeman was all smiles as his team won Game 5 of the World Series against the New York Yankees.
Most of their success revolved around his at-bats.
Freeman was named World Series MVP after hitting four homers, one of which was a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 10th inning, and scored 12 runs in at-bats. there are 20.
It’s as impressive a World Series as any other could be, and even more so when you consider what Freeman was going through physically.
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Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman reacts after hitting the final out during the third inning against the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium. (Brad Penner/Imagn Photos)
However, while everyone knew he entered the postseason with a sprained ankle after trying to avoid a tag, he was dealing with a different injury on top of it.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that Freeman was dealing with a rib problem after he felt “a twinge in his ribs while swinging during a simulated game” before the season. The Dodgers had a bye as the top seed in the National League, so they were warming up with practice games and other practices before facing the San Diego Padres.
DODGERS’ FREDDIE FREEMAN WINS WORLD MVP SELECTION FOR HISTORY-MAKING VS. YANKEES
Freeman first tried to shake off the pain, knowing that it was his ankle that was bothering him. However, the rib injury worsened during live batting practice at Dodger Stadium to the point that Freeman “crumpled to the floor.”
After receiving an MRI, Freeman discovered he suffered a severe fracture of the cartilage in his thumb, an injury that could sideline the player for months.
Freeman’s father, Fred, revealed to ESPN that he did not want to see his son in pain, telling him not to play.
Los Angeles Dodgers Mookie Betts (50) and Freddie Freeman (5) celebrate after hitting the New York Yankees during the fifth inning in Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
“I actually told him to stop,” said Fred. “I said, ‘Freddie, this is not fair. I know you love baseball. I love baseball. But it’s not fair what you’re going through.’ And he looked at me like I was crazy, and he said, ‘Dad, I’ll never stop.’
Freeman’s decision led to MLB history. His four homers in four straight games helped him break the World Series record with homers in six straight games in the World Series, dating back to his 2021 debut with the Atlanta Braves.
And Freeman entered the series with the Yankees without an extra hit in the postseason. He had seven hits and one walk against the Padres and New York Mets.
Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman celebrates after the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Yankees in Game 5 to win the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium. (Brad Penner/Imagn Photos)
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Freeman introduced his glove when Walker Buehler struck out Alex Verdugo in Game 5, and if he was still dealing with pain, he might not have felt it as he celebrated with his teammates after picking up his second ring.
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