Childhood Dream Realized: Dodgers’ Freeman Unleashes First World Series Grand Slam

Come from behind grand slam with bases loaded and 2 out in bottom of 10th inning… 6-3 lead win

viewer

Yonhap News

dreams come true

The LA Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees, who reunited in the World Series for the first time in 43 years, with a grand slam by Freddie Freeman (LA Dodgers) in the bottom of the 10th inning of extra innings in Game 1.

In Game 1 of the World Series (4 wins out of 7) against the Yankees held at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California on the 26th (Korea time), Freeman stood at bat with the bases loaded and two out in the bottom of the 10th inning when the team was down 2-3.

The Dodgers’ reliable number one hitter, Shohei Ohtani, hit a foul fly with one out and one out on first and second base, and the Yankees, as if they had been waiting, sent out number two leadoff hitter Mookie Betts with a deliberate walk to cover all bases.

Freeman came to the plate with mixed feelings. However, when the first pitch’s four-pitch fastball headed toward his body, Freeman turned the bat cold as if he had been waiting.

The moment the ball was hit, it flew so far away that there was no doubt whether it was a home run or not.

With one swing, Freeman silenced the Yankees bench and dropped a ‘dopamine bomb’ on the Dodgers bench.

viewer

EPAYonhap news

In the official postgame press conference, Freeman said, “Ever since I was 5 years old and playing baseball in the backyard with my two older brothers, I dreamed of the scenario ‘World Series, two out, runners loaded’,” and “It actually happened, and I caught the first game of the series “There’s nothing better than this,” he said. He also expressed his joy, saying, “I want to run around this table and tackle all of you. I’m that happy, and I think I’ll have a hard time falling asleep tonight.”

Freeman injured his ankle late last month, so it’s unclear if he’ll even participate in the fall baseball season. He showed his fighting spirit and forced his way into the game, but his performance was poor until he hit the grand slam.

viewer

Yonhap AP News

The reason why the Yankees bench chose to intentionally walk in the 10th inning with 2 outs and 2nd and 3rd base was because they judged that Freeman’s ankle was not in good condition.

However, Freeman showed his fighting spirit against injuries, just as senior Kirk Gibson hit a walk-off home run in the 1988 World Series despite an ankle injury.

This is the first time in over 100 years of World Series history that a walk-off home run has been hit.

When Freeman heard the news, he said, “It’s really great. It’s special to be a part of history in a sport with such a long history.” “There’s more left,” he said, promising a resounding victory in the World Series.

viewer

Yonhap News

Freeman thanked his father for introducing him to the sport of baseball and teaching him how to hold a bat.

After hitting home, Freeman greeted his father, who was watching the game from the stands, and said, “My dad gave me batting practice when I was young. My swing thanks him, and thanks to him, I is who I am today.” He left a tribute saying, “If my dad hadn’t made me take batting practice or if I didn’t like baseball, I wouldn’t be here.”

viewer

Yonhap AP News

On this day, 52,394 people filled Dodger Stadium, providing tremendous energy throughout the game.

“I still remember the home run that Juan Uribe hit (in Game 4 of the Division Series) at Dodger Stadium in 2013 (when I was playing for the Atlanta Braves),” he said “Whether day Monday or Tuesday it was over 50,000 spectators for each game.” He also expressed his gratitude to his fans, saying, “I’m grateful for the love they sent me.”

viewer

Yonhap AP News