Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman was all smiles as his team won Game 5 of the World Series against the New York Yankees.
Much of their success had to do with his at-bats.
Freeman hit four home runs, including a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th inning of Game 1, went 12 for 20 with RBI, and was named World Series MVP.
This is as impressive a World Series as any individual can experience, and it's even more impressive when you consider what Freeman was going through physically.
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Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman reacts after getting the final out in the top of the third inning in Game 4 of the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. (Brad Penner/Imagine Images)
But we all knew he entered the postseason with a sprained ankle trying to avoid the tag, and he was dealing with other injuries on top of that.
ESPN's Jeff Passan revealed that Freeman is battling a rib ailment after he “felt a spasm in his ribcage as he took a swing during a simulated game” before the postseason. The Dodgers were given a bye as the National League's top seed, so they warmed up with mock games and other drills before facing the San Diego Padres.
Dodgers' Freddie Freeman wins World Series MVP with historic performance Yankees
Freeman initially tried to shake off the pain, knowing her ankle was her primary concern. However, during live batting practice at Dodger Stadium, the rib injury worsened to the point that Freeman was “crowned on the ground.”
After undergoing an MRI scan, it was determined that Freeman had fractured the costal cartilage in his sixth rib. This injury could keep the player sidelined for several months.
Freeman's father, Fred, told ESPN that he told his son not to play because he didn't want to see him suffer.
Mookie Betts, 50, and Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after scoring in the bottom of the fifth inning of Game 5 of the World Series against the New York Yankees on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 in New York. (5 years old). (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
“I actually told him to stop,” Fred said. “I said, 'Freddie, this is not worth it. I know you love baseball, I love baseball, but what you're going through is not worth it. 'And he looked at me like I was crazy and said, 'Dad, I'm never going to stop.'
Freeman's decision made MLB history. His four home runs in four consecutive games helped him break the World Series record for home runs in six consecutive World Series games since the 2021 championship with the Atlanta Braves.
And Freeman entered the series against the Yankees without an extra-base hit in the postseason. In games against the Padres and New York Mets, he had seven singles and one walk.
Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman celebrates the Los Angeles Dodgers winning the 2024 World Series after defeating the New York Yankees in Game 5 at Yankee Stadium. (Brad Penner/Imagine Images)
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Freeman held up his glove as Walker Buehler struck out Alex Verdugo for the final out in Game 5. If he was still in pain, he probably wasn't when he celebrated with his teammates after winning his second ring.
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