Freddie Freeman makes history as Dodgers land World Series opening victory over Yankees
Freddie Freeman etched his name in baseball history on Friday night, hitting the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history.
The dramatic 10th inning blast gave the Los Angeles Dodgers a 6-3 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 1 at Dodger Stadium.
Freeman, hobbled by a badly sprained ankle, launched the historic homer on the first pitch he saw from Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes.
The moment drew immediate comparisons to Kirk Gibson's iconic game-winning home run for the Dodgers in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.
Freeman's heroics came despite battling a severe ankle sprain that had limited him throughout the postseason. The injury had caused him to miss three games during the National League playoffs.
"Actually felt pretty good," Freeman said. "The last six days we treated it really well. I've been feeling pretty good."
Freddie Freeman made history in the World Series
Reuters
The first baseman had been in a slump, finishing the National League Championship Series just 1-for-15 at the plate.
However, Freeman benefited from a four-day break before the World Series and made a breakthrough with his swing during batting practice sessions leading up to Game 1.
The game began as a pitchers' duel between Jack Flaherty of the Dodgers and Gerrit Cole of the Yankees. Both starters kept the opposition scoreless through four innings.
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The Dodgers broke through first, taking a 1-0 lead in the fifth when Kiké Hernández tripled and scored on Will Smith's sacrifice fly.
Giancarlo Stanton put the Yankees ahead 2-1 in the sixth with a towering two-run homer off Flaherty.
Shohei Ohtani sparked a Dodgers rally in the eighth, lacing a double off the wall and advancing to third on an error. Mookie Betts then tied the game with a sacrifice fly.
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The 10th inning began with the Yankees taking a 3-2 lead. Jazz Chisholm Jr. singled, stole second and third, then scored on Anthony Volpe's fielder's choice.
The Dodgers rallied in the bottom half. Gavin Lux walked and Tommy Edman singled. Both advanced on a Shohei Ohtani fly out that sent Alex Verdugo tumbling into the stands.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone intentionally walked Mookie Betts to load the bases with two outs. He brought in left-hander Nestor Cortes to face Freeman.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have won Game 1 in the World Series
Reuters
The stage was set for Freeman's historic blast on the first pitch he saw.
Freeman celebrated the emotional moment with his father, who was seated in the front row. "He's been throwing me batting practice since I can remember," Freeman said. "That's mostly his moment. ... That's Fred Freeman's moment right there."
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Freddie Freeman has only recently come back from injury
Reuters
The 35-year-old reflected on the significance of his historic feat. "When you get told you do something like that in this game that's been around a very long time – I love the history of this game, to be a part of it, it's special," Freeman said.
He added: "Even when you're 35 and been in the league for 15 years, you want to be a part of those moments."
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