"This isn't my moment; it’s my dad’s moment" - Freddie Freeman explains heartfelt run to his dad after game-winning grand slam in WS opener

It has been a tough year for Freddie Freeman, personally and physically. He has dealt with injuries to his finger and his ankle and had to go on administrative leave because of his son Max being hospitalized due to a neurological illness. But time has a way to get better, and it certainly did on Friday night, when the Dodgers 1B hit a walk-off grand slam to close out Game 1 of the World Series.

The first thing Freeman did after rounding out the bases was go and hug his father, Frederick who has been a pillar in his life and helped propelled his career as one of the best hitters in the sport. After the heartfelt moment, Freddie dedicated his hit to the senior Freeman, while speaking to Ken Rosenthal.

"I (was) just screaming in his face, sorry Dad. (My dad) has been there since I was a little boy, throwing batting practice to me every day. This isn't my moment; it's his moment," the younger Freeman said.

In the postgame presser, Freeman explained what the moment meant for him and why he dedicated it to his father. The 2020 NL MVP said that as a youngster starting out in the world of baseball, it was Frederick who developed his hitting style.

"He’s been throwing me batting practice since I can remember. My swing is because of him. My approach is because of him. I am who I am because of him. That’s mostly his moment because if he didn’t throw me batting practice — if he didn’t love the game of baseball, I wouldn’t be here playing this game,” Freddie Freeman said.

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Freddie Freeman's one-hour workout with father helped him develop his swing

Growing up, Freddie Freeman never required a full-time hitting coach. As a young boy, he was promoted to play with others older to him. His class can only be credited to his father, who worked him daily, throwing three buckets of 48 balls for around an hour each day.

For the balls of the first bucket, Freddie Freeman had to hit opposite, left field. The second buckets of balls, required to him to hit dead center. Only on the final bucket, was he allowed to hit wherever he liked.

That was crucial, as the Dodgers infielder has turned out to be one of the best contact hitters in the sport with a predominant left-center swing, a rare and tough feat to achieve for left handed batters.

The 35-year-old will look to continue his form as the Dodgers are three wins away from winning their first full season title since 1988.