Freddie Freeman won the World Series MVP while battling an injured ankle. But he probably had a more serious injury, which he hid.
As the Los Angeles Dodgers basked in the glow of their World Series win over the New York Yankees on Wednesday, it was revealed that their first baseman was playing with broken cartilage in his ribcage.
On October 3, during a simulated game in which the Dodgers would host the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series, Freeman felt pain in his side. She tried to ignore him. Then, according to the story, the following happened From ESPN’s Jeff Passan:
A day later, on October 4, after Freeman finished a press conference announcing that he was ready to play despite his wrist injury, he retreated to the batting cage at Dodger Stadium. He wanted to get some swing to prepare for the live batting practice session. His side quivered with each of the first dozen swings. On the 13th swing, Freeman felt a jolt and fell to the ground.
Freeman couldn’t get off the floor and then underwent X-rays before an MRI that night. The results showed that he had broken the costal cartilage of his sixth rib. According to Passan, it’s an injury that usually puts players out for months. Freeman played through it.
In all, Freeman struggled early in the postseason, playing 13 games, but he came alive in the World Series. In the Fall Classic, the 35-year-old hit .300 with four home runs and 12 RBIs. He also delivered the game-winning, grand slam piledriver in the 10th inning of Game 1, providing the highlight of the series. He was dismissed in the first four games of the series.
Freeman overcame a sprained leg and rib injury and was rewarded with his second World Series ring as a result. In the end, it’s safe to say the pain is worth it.