In Greatest Match-up in Baseball History, Freeman Hits Wonder Run. And It Ain’t Even ‘Shotime’

That hit. The hit by Freddie Freeman of the L.A. Dodgers, which won Game 1 in the current baseball World Series against the New York Yankees: fast, true, a perfect arc over the field of play into the mid-bleachers, was a strike of astonishing timing, beauty and power.

Whatever the outcome of this match-up between the two most storied teams, and greatest rivals, of America’s national game, it will go down in history as the first-ever ‘walk-off grand slam’ in the 121-years of the World Series.

It’s the stuff that childhood dreams of sporting glory are made of–a clean hit over the boundary when all three bases are loaded and the batter consequently walks-in a four run homer–and the fact that it was struck by a player who’s been crocked with an ankle injury for much of the regular season makes it still more remarkable.

And it ain’t even ‘Shotime’!

Superstar

We are of course referring to Shohei Otani, all-action Japanese baseball hero and the current superstar of world baseball, who moved across town from the Los Angeles Angels to the Dodgers last December in a deal worth a modest US$700 million (£538.57m) over 10-years.

Shohei began the season embroiled in scandal when his best friend, bodyman and translator Ippei Mizuhara was found to have been placing a number of big money bets with dodgy southern California bookies, who were being investigated by the FBI, and was fired.

“Show-me-the-money”, forgive the pun, recovered to post an impressive first season with the Dodgers but as the best of seven-game series moved from Los Angeles to New York Yankees stadium in the Bronx yesterday, Monday, he had yet to make an impact in the so-called ‘Fall Classic’.

But the Yankees vs. the Dodgers is a match-up for the ages.

It is, quite simply, the most storied rivalry in baseball, with the two teams now meeting for the 12th time in the World Series — more than any others; the Yankees winning eight times to date – out of their total 27 world championship wins, the most of any MLB team.

For their part the Dodgers, leading 2-0 going into Monday’s third game, have won seven World Series titles, the last time in 2020, since the deciding competition between the winners of the American League and National League was first contested way back in 1903.

Forget the little matter of November 5’s upcoming U.S. presidential elections. This–not Trump vs. Harris–is the contest that has captured America’s attention.

Sporting Legends

The Yankees–the team of Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, one-time Mr Marilyn Monroe Joe DiMaggio, and more recently ex-Jennifer Lopez squeeze Alexander A-Rod Rodriguez–against the Dodgers, formerly of Brooklyn, now of L.A., once home of Jackie Robinson, the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball, Roy Campanella, Pee Wee Reese, Duke Snider, Sandy Koufax and “El Toro”, the legendary Mexican pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, who just died this very October 22 aged only 63-years-old; what in world sport could be more thrilling?

For the uninitiated, imagine Barça-Réal Madrid contesting the final of the Champions League or ManU taking-on Liverpool for the Premier League title, and then some.

Then maybe, just maybe, you’ll get a taste of what’s on the line.

It’s impossible to know just how much money punters have placed on the World Series but last month in New York state alone, for example, gamblers wagered some US$2 billion (£1.54bn) on sporting outcomes.

The Yankees and Dodgers are arguably the two biggest budget clubs in Major League Baseball, with combined annual salary bills of around US$750 million a year (£577.8).

Storied

The winner of the World Series will take home an estimated US$35 million (£26.96m) in prize money to be dispersed between players and coaches and it’s estimated that a successful run to the title generates at least another US$100 million (£77.03m) in extra income for the team.

For the moment, led by Freddie Freeman’s stunning hit in Game 1, the Dodgers are marginal favourites to be crowned world champions by most bookies, with Freeman–a former World Series winner with the Atlanta Braves in 2021-–also moving into pole position to be voted the series’ Most Valuable Player, ahead of the hitherto fancied Otani.

Referring to his player’s historic grand slam, L.A. Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts said: “[It] might be the greatest baseball moment I’ve ever witnessed.

“And I’ve witnessed some great ones.”

But will it be enough for the Dodgers to best their greatest rivals?

In the words of the Yankees famous catcher Yogi Berra, who was known and loved for both his malapropisms and wisdom:

“It ain’t over ‘til it’s over!”

So watch this space.

But before you do, check out Freeman’s hit.

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