Christmas is a season for sharing joy and affection, but some people, such as Freddie Freeman, attempt to do so every day. The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar still took the opportunity to spread some festive cheer by gifting his father, Fred, a bottle of Silver Oak whiskey. The bottle also had 'World Champion Dad' printed just above the label to symbolize Freddie's World Series triumph with the Dodgers this year.
On Sunday, Freddie Freeman posted a photograph of him and his dad with the Christmas tree in the background on Instagram. He also offered a deep message of gratitude for the sacrifice and dedication of his father, which helped him to carve out a hugely successful career in the MLB.
"From the backyard to the big leagues, none of this would’ve been possible without you, Dad," Freeman posted on his Instagram account. "You taught me how to swing a bat, believe in myself, and always put in the work, no matter what. Winning the World Series is a dream come true, but it’s also a reflection of everything you poured into me since day one. This one’s for you, Dad."
Freddie Freeman was born in California, but his family moved to Ontario, Canada, when he was six years old due to the work commitments of his father. Freddie holds a deep personal bond with his father, especially after losing his mother, Rosemary, at the tender age of 10.
Moreover, his father had religiously coached Freddie as a young player, setting up batting drills every day and teaching him his unique bat swing.
Meanwhile, Freeman won the World Series with the Dodgers this year to pick up the title for the second time in his career. He hit a home run in each of the first three games of the Fall Classic, including a walk-off grand slam in Game 1, to be named the 2024 World Series MVP.
Freddie Freeman saved his father's life as a kid
During his hot run in the 2024 World Series, Freddie Freeman revealed that he came extremely close to becoming an orphan at age 12. He brought his father, who had congestive heart failure, to the hospital, which turned out to be a life-saving move.
"I'm just sitting in that [hospital] room," he told ESPN's E:60, as he broke down into tears. "The doctor comes in the room, and I'm with my dad. And he goes, Mr. Freeman, you're lucky you came to the hospital tonight. If you didn't come in and would have gone to sleep, you would have most likely died in your sleep."
"I was this close to being parentless at 12 years old," Freeman added.
Meanwhile, Freeman's youngest son, Max, was also diagnosed with a neurological condition known as Guillain-Barré syndrome earlier this year. Max has been making a positive recovery following his treatment.