A Bit Of “Blue” History – Well Done

World Series and Dodger “Blue” history was made last Friday night in game 1 of this year’s World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees. First baseman Freddie Freeman, came up to bat in the 10th inning with the Dodgers down with a score of 2-3, and with 2 outs and the bases loaded, he made history by hitting the first ever walk off grand slam home run to beat the Yankees with a final score of 6-3! For those who may not know, a “walk off home run” is a home run hit in the final inning of a game that scores enough runs to beat the opponent.

In spite of his own physical difficulty with having a severely sprained ankle the previous week and still coming off of a terrible emotional scare with the health of his 3 year old son, Max, back in July, that could have cost little Max his life, Freddie did what no one in baseball history had ever done before in a World Series, he hit a game winning grand slam to score 4 runs and win the game.

Freddie is one of three sons of Fred and Rosemary Freeman. Rosemary passed away from cancer when Freddie was just 10 years old. His father, Fred, then a single dad, raised his boys and instilled in them, especially Freddie, a deep love for the sport of baseball. He threw the ball and practiced with his son, everyday to help him develop into the player he is today. And Freddie in an interview following the game was quick to give his father the credit he deserved. After coming around the bases following the home run he saw his father in the stands yelling and cheering and hugging everyone around him…celebrating this moment he had helped his son work for since Freddie was 4 years old. Freddie knew he had to get to his dad in the stands. He knew no one could appreciate what he was feeling just then better than his father who helped him get there. He just wanted to share that huge moment with the man who had poured so much time and love into him. His answer to a reporters question, “What was that moment like with your dad?” is a tear jerker for any parent who has loved and cheered for a child to achieve all they know they are capable of achieving:

“That’s Fred Freeman’s moment right there.” What humility and gratitude! In a moment when he could have been focused, as so many others were, on his own athletic greatness and success, he had the humility to recognize that apart from his father’s love and investment in him, nothing he did in baseball, or in life, would have been possible. That is more than a baseball story….that is a life lesson. Isn’t that true for all of us? Your Two Chums believe that apart from our Heavenly Father’s love and guidance none of us could achieve all we are meant to be.

Since Game 1 of the World Series, Freddie has hit a home run in each of the subsequent games to tie with only one other player to have done so. If he has another home run tonight in Game 4, he alone will hold the record for most home runs in consecutive games in a World Series, and will make history again.

Your Two Chums recognize and appreciate Freddie Freeman’s athletic talent, but we respect and admire his real greatness…his humility and gratitude. So for that we say “Well Done Freddie….WELL DONE!!! We think this moment of greatness couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy 🙂