Harry How/Getty Images
Freddie Freeman hit a game-winning, walk-off grand slam with two out in the bottom of the 10th inning to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 6-3 win over the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday evening.
Jeff Eisenband @JeffEisenband
“He has been there since I was a little boy, throwing batting practice to me every day. This isn’t my moment, it’s my dad’s moment.”
– Freddie Freeman on running over to his dad after his walk-off grand slam home run to win Game 1 of the World Series pic.twitter.com/N8uCoMGwCd
Minutes earlier, the Yankees led 3-2 with one out and runners on first and second when Shohei Ohtani lofted a fly ball down the left field foul line.
New York outfielder Alex Verdugo then drifted to the side wall, caught the pop-up and flipped into the stands for out number two.
The runners advanced to second and third because Verdugo fell into an out-of-play area during his acrobatic catch.
New York manager Aaron Boone then called for Nestor Cortes to intentionally walk Mookie Betts in favor of a lefty-lefty matchup, Cortes vs. Freeman.
The first baseman made the Yankees pay, depositing the first pitch into the seats for a no-doubt homer and the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history.
FOX Sports: MLB @MLBONFOX
The entire list of players with a walk off grand slam in World Series history:
⚾️ Freddie Freeman
That’s it. That’s the list. pic.twitter.com/Yb0t9VRUuH
This isn’t the first time the Dodgers have benefitted from a game-winning, walk-off home run with two out in the bottom of the 10th inning in Game 1 of the World Series.
In 1988, an injured Kirk Gibson came off the bench to pinch-hit and delivered a 3-2 backdoor slider into the right field stands for a 5-4 win against the Oakland Athletics. L.A., a massive underdog, won the series in five games.
MLB Metrics @MLBMetrics
Vin Scully’s call of Kirk Gibson’s 1988 WS G1 walk-off home run vs Joe Davis’s call of Freddie Freeman’s walk-off grand slam:
HIGH FLY BALL INTO RIGHT FIELD, SHE IS GONE!
SHE IS GONE! GIBBY, MEET FREDDIE! GAME ONE OF THE WORLD SERIES!
This is what baseball is all about. pic.twitter.com/x2Lu6RuaS1
Freeman himself has been playing through a right ankle sprain since Sept. 26, and he was the superhero Friday to put L.A. up 1-0 in the best-of-seven series.
Needless to say, many athletes, baseball fans and analysts were stunned and enthralled by the dramatic Freeman homer to cap an instant classic.
Patrick Mahomes II @PatrickMahomes
Wow! Absolute bomb! Salute 🫡 @FreddieFreeman5
Noah Camras @noahcamras
Two of the greatest moments in Dodgers history.
Kirk Gibson, meet Freddie Freeman. pic.twitter.com/4iGMGIjeWG
ESPN @espn
“Oh he spanked it for game … Freddie Freeman … OOOOOO.” 😂
Bradley Beal reacting to Freddie Freeman’s walk-off home run in Game 1 of the World Series. pic.twitter.com/WxBUriqZaL
At The Buzzer @AtTheBuzzer1
Yankees: “we got Shohei Ohtani out let’s put Mookie Betts on base so we don’t have to deal with him”
Freddie Freeman: pic.twitter.com/0ERxkbqBFp
Calais Campbell @CalaisCampbell
Wow what a finish! Glad I got to witness that live! Walk off Grand Slam!!! Incredible #WorldSeries
Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
Steve Kerr, a Dodgers fan, was coaching in Utah when Freddie Freeman hit the grand slam. He said he heard a guy in the front row gasp and say: ‘He hit it out.’ Kerr asked the fan: “Who?” pic.twitter.com/aX4IfLs4gG
Blake Harris @BlakeHHarris
ONE OF THE GREATEST DODGERS WINS OF MY LIFE
FREDDIE FREEMAN YOU ARE A HERO
I’M STILL SHAKING
3 WINS AWAY!!!!! pic.twitter.com/xHAOywCR73
Game 2 will take place on Saturday at 8:08 p.m. ET. Yoshinobu Yamamoto gets the ball for the Dodgers, while Carlos Rodón gets the call for the Yanks.
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