The Los Angeles Dodgers go beyond being a baseball team. They are like a tight-knit family unit where everyone’s well-being is interconnected. And keeping with the same, one of Dodgers’ key figures, Clayton Kershaw, openly shared some insights about Freddie Freeman’s personal hardships. The tale of how his son’s health crisis and his own injury impacted the team dynamics and ignited their resolve is one for the history books.
During the last summer season, Freeman faced an upheaval in his life as his young son Maximus was diagnosed with Guillain Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune illness that causes temporary paralysis. Understandably Freeman took a break from his activities to support his family during this time. His presence was deeply missed by the Dodgers team both during games and in their interactions.
“ You can’t say enough about Freddie,” Kershaw said on a candid with MLB Networks. “He’s been through so much, and he still shows up every day, doing everything he can to help this team win. That kind of fight, that kind of heart—it rubs off on all of us.” “It just hit everyone hard,” Kershaw admitted. “You never want to see a teammate go through something like that, especially a guy like Freddie.”
And when Freeman returned, his focus never wavered. He played through the emotional exhaustion, using baseball as an outlet while still being there for his son. His teammates took notice. “We all rallied behind him,” Kershaw said. “Every single guy in this clubhouse wanted to play harder, wanted to win for him.” Talk about turning tragedy to triumph – and not just once. Wondering why?
Well, just months later, Freeman faced another obstacle—his own health. He underwent right ankle surgery during the offseason, throwing his 2025 spring training preparation into uncertainty. But in classic Freeman fashion, he didn’t let it keep him down. Kershaw, no stranger to battling through injuries, admired Freddie Freeman’s relentless work ethic, saying: “Behind-the-scenes stuff to see how much it took just to get him on the field and the treatment and the different things—it’s unbelievable”.
“Freddie could have taken his time, eased back into things, but he knew how much we needed him. And that means something.” Freeman’s resilience set the tone for the Dodgers. His willingness to fight through both emotional and physical pain ignited a “next man up” mentality in the clubhouse. Shohei Ohtani, fresh off his own surgery, and a taxed bullpen have embodied the same determination.
“We see Freddie doing that, and there’s no excuse for the rest of us,” Kershaw said. “It’s contagious.” And that’s what makes this Dodgers team dangerous. They’re not just playing for wins—they’re playing for each other.
Pushing the limits: How Freddie Freeman accelerated his return
Freddie Freeman made a recovery from his ankle surgery against the odds due to a rigorous rehabilitation program centered on flexibility and strength training to enhance endurance as well. The use of hydrotherapy aided in reducing inflammation while allowing for continued movement and also incorporated resistance training to rebuild muscle without putting strain on his ankle.
In contrast to the rehab timetable, Freeman strived for progress every day and collaborated closely with the Dodgers’ personnel to stay ahead of schedule. His regimen included cryotherapy to manage pain and advanced balance drills to restore stability, critical for both fielding and hitting.
His efforts paid off. While similar injuries could sideline a player for months, Freeman cut recovery time significantly, returning to the lineup weeks ahead of projections. Despite some lingering soreness, he avoided extra rest days, determined to contribute. Freddie Freeman’s standout moment came on March 1, when he hit his first home run of Spring Training with a strike to right field during the sixth inning that evened out the game at 3. The 109.2 miles per hour home run highlighted his knack for stepping up even at the beginning of training camp.
At last, his presence not only strengthens the team but also sets the tone for another championship run. With Opening Day approaching, can Freeman’s determination fuel the Dodgers to another dominant season?
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