“What doesn’t break you makes you stronger”—this timeless saying perfectly captures Freddie Freeman’s season. This year has tested Freddie to the core, from emotional to physical. He has been battered black and blue. First his fractured finger, then, his son Max’s sudden health emergency, and just when things looked better, he got injured again. But the LA Dodger star played through all of it. Because even though struggles were constant, another thing was constant for him – the support system.

Freddie Freeman has firm support from his wife and sons. But one individual who has been there from the get-go is his father. After his mother’s untimely death because of cancer, it was him, his brother, and his dad all along. Freddie Freeman isn’t someone who hides his feelings and has openly expressed his love for his dad. Most recently, Freeman was at the podcast in New Heights, and he talked about how he still asks his dad to throw balls at him.

Freddie Freeman reflects on his father’s impact on him

Freddie Freeman had plenty of memorable moments this season. But we think nothing can match the walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the World Series. The first thing he did after a round of the field then was to hug his father. After that, he even went on to talk to the media and express how everything he is—all because of his father. Freeman mentioned that his father would practice hours with him; hence, he gets much of the credit. This time, he revealed just how much those moments mean to him.

Freeman mentioned that he is lucky that he had a parent who loved baseball and got him going in it. It was a ‘match made in heaven; ‘ he said. Also, the Dodger star mentioned that during the off-season, he still takes time to play with his dad. His father, now 69, says to Freddie, “I’m not very good anymore.” But Freeman has a rather emotional answer he gives his dad: “I tell him, “Dad, it’s not about that; it’s about the hour we spend together. I’ll figure it out in spring training—I just want to hit you.” For Freeman, it’s just him reliving his childhood over and over—its familiarity and comfort.

Freddie Freeman’s father behind his World Series, heroics

Most parents and children have a strong connection, but for the Freemans, it might be stronger than some of the rest. Because there was a time when Freddie Freeman saved his father’s life. He had taken his dad to the hospital on time, and the doctors had mentioned that if he hadn’t, his father wouldn’t probably be here. Freeman Senior has taught plenty many things to his son, one of the most notable being—that the show must go on. So, through thick and thin, Freddie played, but this time around, he faced a moment where he had to pause.

While speaking with Travis and Jason Kelce in their podcast, Freeman shared how he got a late-night call from his dad, Fred. He was upset with Freddie playing through such serious injuries. “I got a call from my dad at about 11 o’clock at night & had a talk… That was the first time I took a step back,” said Freeman. Indeed, the LA Dodger star was playing after doing four hours of pre-game prep! It was after Game 3 of the NDLS and Freeman decided to take it slow and step back – he came out stronger and put in the best performance in the World Series.

Do you think Freeman deserves his name in the Hall of Fame? Let us know below.