Freddie Freeman shines as Dodgers’ World Series MVP with historic performance
Freddie Freeman played a crucial role in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ championship journey, making headlines with his impressive home run streak and earning the prestigious title of World Series MVP.
Throughout the Series, Freeman made a significant impact, hitting a home run in each of the first four games. He further solidified his place in history with a pivotal two-out single that drove in two runs during the Dodgers’ thrilling 7-6 clinching victory in Game 5, as reported by News.Az, citing ESPN.
Reflecting on the season, Freeman remarked, “It seems like we hit every speed bump possible over the course of this year. To overcome what we did as a group of guys is special. This is what we set out to achieve every spring training: to win a championship. I think it’s the hardest thing to do in sports because you just never know what’s going to happen.”
Despite having a six-game World Series home run streak come to an end, Freeman nearly extended it to seven games. His drive was caught at the fence by Aaron Judge early in the game, but his overall performance was undeniably worthy of the MVP accolade, boasting a batting average of .300, four home runs, and 12 RBIs. However, it was his dramatic homer in Game 1 that truly set the tone for the Dodgers’ triumph.
In a tense moment during the 10th inning with the Dodgers down 3-2, Freeman hit a fastball from Nestor Cortes into the right-field stands at Dodger Stadium. This remarkable shot not only clinched the game but also marked the first game-ending grand slam in World Series history. The moment bore an uncanny resemblance to Kirk Gibson’s iconic game-winning homer in Game 1 of the 1988 Fall Classic, both being come-from-behind victories and both players hitting the decisive home runs while dealing with injuries. Freeman was playing through an ankle sprain that required constant treatment throughout the postseason.
Also Read: All the details regarding the Dodgers’ World Series parade in 2024: date, schedule, planned route in Los Angeles, and additional information.
Freeman’s father, Frederick Freeman, expressed admiration for his son’s resilience, saying, “He’s tougher than I am, that’s for sure. I don’t know any other person who could have done that.”
While Gibson’s legendary homer was his only at-bat of that Series, Freeman continued to excel, hitting a solo homer in Game 2 and a two-run shot in the first inning of Game 3. He followed that with another two-run homer in Game 4, breaking the record for most consecutive World Series games with a home run, previously held by George Springer of the Houston Astros.
Freeman’s home run streak began when he won his first World Series ring with the Atlanta Braves in 2021. Over his World Series career, he has maintained a batting average of .310 across 11 games, hitting six home runs and driving in 17 runs—the highest RBI total for any player in their first two World Series appearances.
Discussing his hot streak, Freeman said, “You don’t really think about it when you’re up there. Things seem to be slowing down. That’s kind of what you’re just trying to do. Experience definitely helps in this situation.”