Freddie Freeman makes history in first World Series appearance since Braves title

At the start of the MLB postseason, it was unclear how much of an impact he had Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman would have done for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Freeman suffered a badly sprained right ankle on Sept. 26 that limited him in the final weekend of the regular season.

Freeman then re-aggravated the injury during the National League Division Series on October 8.

But in his first World Series appearance since recording the final out in the Braves’ 7-0 Game 6 victory against the Houston Astros in 2021, Freeman delivered one of the top moments in baseball’s recent memory.

With the Dodgers trailing the New York Yankees in Game 1 by a run in the bottom of the 10th inning, Freeman came to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. On the first pitch of the game, the left-hander launched a home run over the right-field fence to lift Los Angeles to a 6-3 victory.

It was the first Grand Slam in the 121-year history of the World Series.

This achievement is worth repeating. Friday’s Game 1 was the 698th game in World Series history, according to FOX Sports. Never before has anyone done what Freeman did — a grand slam in the final inning to win.

The Yankees-Dodgers World Series matchup, the first between the two clubs in 43 years, has been touted as MLB’s dream matchup all week. Its very very hard to imagine a better opening game, especially a finale, for the casual baseball fan.

It’s also hard to imagine a less likely hero. Not that Freeman isn’t still an elite hitter at 35, but with his ankle injury, he was hitting .219 with no extra-base hits in the postseason this month.

In Game 1 on Friday, Freeman went 2-for-5 with a triple.

In recent decades, the Braves have suffered heartbreaking postseason losses to both the Dodgers and Yankees. So this is a tough series for much of Braves Country to be really excited about watching.

Even for them, though, Friday’s ending was probably great. Freeman had an awkward departure from Atlanta after helping propel the franchise to its first title since 1995.

But Freeman won countless awards with the Braves, including the 2020 MVP. He was the face of the franchise for more than a decade, including the year they won their most recent championship.

Freeman will forever hold a special place in Atlanta sports history. Now, he owns one of the top moments in the World Series, perhaps ever.