You see the guy at first base, the one with the teeth that could light up a stadium and a swing that looks like he’s trying to chop down a very specific tree. That’s Freddie. But if you think LA Dodgers Freddie Freeman is just another high-priced superstar on a team full of them, you’re missing the actual story.
It’s about the text messages.
Back in September 2022, the Dodgers had already clinched the NL West. The clubhouse was basically a swimming pool of champagne. Most guys were rightfully half-buzzed and looking forward to a day off. Not Freddie. He sent six—six!—separate text messages to manager Dave Roberts that night. The gist? "I didn't drink a sip, just in case. I'm playing tomorrow."
He didn't need the stats. He didn't need the money. He just needed to be there. That’s the "old-school" DNA that basically rewired the entire Los Angeles clubhouse.
The 2024 World Series: A Performance That Shouldn't Have Happened
Honestly, by the time the 2024 World Series rolled around, Freeman should have been on a couch somewhere with his foot in a bucket of ice. He had a severely sprained right ankle—the kind of injury that makes a normal person struggle to walk to the fridge, let alone drive a 98-mph fastball into the seats.
But then came Game 1.
Bottom of the 10th. Bases loaded. The first walk-off grand slam in World Series history. You could see the limp as he rounded the bases, but it didn't matter. He went on to hit home runs in each of the first four games of that series, setting a record of six consecutive World Series games with a long ball (dating back to his time with Atlanta).
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He finished that series with:
- 4 home runs
- 12 RBIs (tying the all-time record set by Bobby Richardson in 1960)
- A World Series MVP trophy
- A second ring for his collection (his third total, counting the 2025 repeat)
People talk about "clutch," but what Freeman did on one leg against the Yankees was closer to a tall tale. It solidified his Hall of Fame case so hard that the voters might as well start carving the plaque now.
Why the "Left-Right-Left" Lineup is a Nightmare for Pitchers
If you're a pitcher facing the Dodgers in 2026, you basically have no "safe" spot to breathe. The addition of Kyle Tucker has created this ridiculous "left-right-left" drill team. You have Shohei Ohtani, then Mookie Betts, then LA Dodgers Freddie Freeman.
It’s exhausting.
Think about the mental fatigue. You finally get past Ohtani—who is arguably the greatest talent to ever touch a baseball—and your reward is Mookie Betts. If you survive Mookie, you have to deal with Freddie, who hasn't had a batting average below .280 since George W. Bush was in office (okay, maybe not that long, but his career .300 average is a masterpiece of consistency).
His durability is his real superpower. Since joining the Dodgers, he’s played in roughly 95% of all possible games. In an era where "load management" has crept into baseball, Freddie is the guy who refuses to sit down. That work ethic is exactly why Dave Roberts calls him Shohei Ohtani’s "role model." When the guy with the $700 million contract sees the veteran first baseman refusing to miss a game even with a broken rib or a busted ankle, it sets a standard.
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The Health Crisis That Put Everything in Perspective
We have to talk about Max.
In the middle of the 2024 season, baseball became completely irrelevant for a minute. Freddie’s youngest son, Maximus, was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome. It’s a terrifying, rare autoimmune disorder where the body basically attacks its own nerves. Max went from a slight limp to full-body paralysis and a ventilator in a matter of days.
Freddie disappeared from the lineup. For ten days, he wasn't a Dodger; he was just a dad in a hospital room at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC).
When he finally returned to Dodger Stadium on August 5, 2024, the ovation lasted so long it felt like the game might never start. The "Max Strong" shirts in the dugout weren't just for show. It was a rare moment where the rivalry-heavy world of MLB felt like one big family. Max has since made a miraculous recovery—hitting roughly 80% of his milestones by early 2025—and the Freemans responded by donating $1 million to CHOC.
It’s easy to cheer for a guy who hits home runs. It’s a lot easier when he’s actually a decent human being.
By the Numbers: Is He the Greatest Dodgers First Baseman?
That’s a heavy question. You’ve got Steve Garvey, Gil Hodges, and Eric Karros in that conversation. But Freddie is doing things that look weird on a stat sheet because they’re so consistently elite.
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Look at his 2023 season. He became the first first baseman in the history of the American or National League to record 200 hits, 20 homers, and 20 steals in a single year. He also broke the Dodgers' franchise record for doubles with 59.
Freddie Freeman's Career Snapshots (As of 2026):
- Hits: Over 2,400 and climbing.
- Doubles: 500+ (one of only 65 players to ever do it).
- Average: Hovering right at that magical .300 mark.
- Hardware: 1 NL MVP, 1 World Series MVP, 9 All-Star nods, and 3 World Series rings.
He isn't a "power hitter" in the traditional sense. He’s a "hitter who happens to have power." There’s a difference. He sprays the ball to all fields, works counts, and rarely strikes out—only once in the entire five-game 2024 World Series.
What to Watch for Next
The Dodgers are currently chasing a "three-peat" in 2026. If they pull it off, Freeman will be the heartbeat of that run. Keep an eye on his ankle health; he had a minor scare in April 2025 after a bathroom slip (classic athlete luck), but he’s proven he can play through almost anything.
If you want to follow his impact, don't just look at the box score. Watch him on the field. Watch how he talks to the runners on first base. Watch his ritual in the batter's box.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors:
- Hall of Fame Tracking: Freeman is a lock. If you collect memorabilia, his 2024 World Series MVP items are the peak of his career value.
- The "Freddie" Approach: If you’re a young player, study his two-strike approach. He chokes up, narrows his focus, and becomes nearly impossible to put away.
- Community Impact: Follow the CHOC foundation's work. The Freeman family's involvement has turned "Max Strong" into a permanent initiative for pediatric neurological health.
He's 36 now, but he’s playing like a guy who still has a point to prove. The $162 million contract the Dodgers gave him back in 2022 looked like a lot at the time. Now? It looks like the biggest bargain in baseball.