Watch: Freddie Freeman gives Dodgers Game 1 win with walk-off grand slam
Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman celebrates after hitting a walk-off grand slam in the 10th inning against the New York Yankees during Game 1 of the 2024 MLB World Series.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman entered Game 1 of the World series clearly less than 100% healthy due to an ankle injury that has hobbled him in recent weeks. Â
It did not stop him from delivering one of the biggest hits in World Series history.
Freeman lifted the Dodgers to a 6-3, 10-inning, Game 1 win by crushing a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 10th inning off New York Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes.Â
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 26, 2024
That is the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history.
It also brings back memories of former Dodgers great Kirk Gibson hitting a walk-off home run in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series against the Oakland A’s when he came off the bench and had to hobble his way around the bases. Freeman is not quite as injured as badly as Gibson was with his at-bat, but it is a close enough comparable given the circumstances.Â
Along with his grand slam, Freeman also tripled earlier in the game.
His home run capped off a thrilling 10th inning that saw the Yankees take the lead in the top of the inning, and then Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo make an incredible catch to retire Shohei Ohtani on the previous pitch by tumbling over the wall into the stands down the left field line.Â
It is hard to imagine a better game with more action to start off a classic World Series matchup.Â
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