Kirk Gibson Reveals He Almost Missed Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman’s Walk-Off Grand Slam
Kirk Gibson turned on his phone to watch the Dodgers in Game 1 of the World Series just in time to see Freddie Freeman emulate his 1988 walk-off home run.
Gibson knew Freeman would be the hero of the game as the first baseman stepped in the batter’s box in the bottom of the tenth inning. Freeman was banged up like Gibson was over thirty years ago, and as history repeated itself, the Dodgers icon witnessed the birth of a new legend.
“I just thought, ‘This is going to happen,’” Gibson told Dodgers’ Cary Osborne. “I could just feel it.”
Gibson was right. Freeman hit the first pitch from Nestor Cortes to right field in eerily similar fashion to Gibson’s 1988 World Series swing.
Gibson then heard the now forever famous call by Joe Davis.
“She is gone! Gibby meet Freddie!”
A smile appeared on the former Dodger’s face. In a season filled with trials and tribulations for Freeman, the first baseman earned his spot in baseball history.
Freeman dealt with several injuries this year, but also missed several games due to the hospitalization of his three-year old son, Maximus. Freeman’s son was diagnosed with a rare form of Guillain-Barré syndrome.
“What a great guy,” Gibson said of Freeman. “All he’s been through this year, and it’s incredible. And he’s got to feel outstanding today — not just for himself, but for his teammates and his organization. It’s been incredible. It’s not been all smooth sailing, for sure. I don’t know Freddie very well. We work in the same places from time to time, and he’s always been cordial and respectful. I know he really cares about the game and the people that have supported him and his teammates. So it couldn’t happen to a better guy.”
Gibson recalled his own walk-off homer in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series. Freeman’s walk-off grand slam felt like a replay of the iconic moment, only missing the fist pumps.
“When it happened to me running around the bases, it happens so fast, but yet so slow,” Gibson said.
After Friday night, Gibson officially passed the torch to Freeman as the owner of the Dodgers’ new historic moment.
“After it’s all said and done. There’s a new guard,” Gibson said. “Freddie Freeman’s his name.”
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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