Cardinals World Series hero David Freese once spoke candidly about how his wife Mairin had helped him battle his demons

In April 2017, St. Louis Cardinals star David Freese credited his wife for helping him fight depression and alcoholism.

Freese has suffered from depression his entire life, which contributed to his decision to give up playing baseball after high school and his development of alcoholism.

Between 2002- 2012, he has has been charged with DUI several times. However, things changed when David met the love of his life Mairin O’Leary and married her in September 2016.

In a USA Today interview, Freese said:

"I always wanted to change, to get over all of my issues, but it was so hard. You get stuck in the mud. You just don’t know where to go. It just worsened with my depression. There were days it was so bad I just didn’t want to get out of bed."

He continued:

"It was so hard, right up until I met Mairin. I don’t know if we met at the right time or not, but it was a blessing. She’s just tough. I need that. And I want that. She challenges the hell out of me, and I love it."

"Subpar can we play now smiles. Merry Christmas." - David Freese

When the couple first met, Mairin was merely looking for a sincere connection with the possibility of a future together. The two clicked right away, and Freese's life became more stable as a result of their relationship.

David Freese and his wife, Mairin O’Leary are expecting their third child

Divisional Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v Washington Nationals - Game Three: Washington Nationals - Game Three WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 06: David Freese #25 of the Los Angeles Dodgers takes the field during team introductions before Game 3 of the NLDS between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on October 06, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman David Freese and his wife, Mairin O’Leary have two sons and are now expecting the birth of their child. In the first week of February, Mairin took to Instagram to post a picture of her baby bump in a flowy maternity dress.

It is amazing how the presence of a woman can change a man's life. Kudos to Mairin for giving David a life to cherish and look back on when he turns old. MLB fans are excited to witness the Cardinals icon get a taste of fatherhood all over again.