Kirk Gibson turned on his telephone to observe the in Sport 1 of the World Sequence simply in time to see Freddie Freeman emulate his 1988 walk-off house run.
Gibson knew Freeman can be the hero of the sport as the primary baseman stepped within the batter’s field within the backside of the tenth inning. Freeman was banged up like Gibson was over thirty years in the past, and as historical past repeated itself, the icon witnessed the start of a brand new legend.
“I simply thought, ‘That is going to occur,’” Gibson instructed ’ Cary Osborne. “I might simply really feel it.”
Gibson was proper. Freeman hit the primary pitch from Nestor Cortes to proper area in eerily comparable trend to Gibson’s 1988 World Sequence swing.
Gibson then heard the now perpetually well-known name by Joe Davis.
“She is gone! Gibby meet Freddie!”
A smile appeared on the previous s face. In a season full of trials and tribulations for Freeman, the primary baseman earned his spot in baseball historical past.
Freeman handled a number of accidents this 12 months, but additionally missed a number of video games as a result of hospitalization of his three-year previous son, Maximus. Freeman’s son was recognized with a uncommon type of Guillain-Barré syndrome.
“What a fantastic man,” Gibson stated of Freeman. “All he’s been by means of this 12 months, and it’s unimaginable. And he’s obtained to really feel excellent right this moment — not only for himself, however for his teammates and his group. It’s been unimaginable. It’s not been all easy crusing, for positive. I don’t know Freddie very nicely. We work in the identical locations infrequently, and he’s at all times been cordial and respectful. I do know he actually cares in regards to the recreation and the those who have supported him and his teammates. So it couldn’t occur to a greater man.”
Gibson recalled his personal walk-off homer in Sport 1 of the 1988 World Sequence. Freeman’s walk-off grand slam felt like a replay of the long-lasting second, solely lacking the fist pumps.
“When it occurred to me operating across the bases, it occurs so quick, however but so gradual,” Gibson stated.
After Friday night time, Gibson formally handed the torch to Freeman because the proprietor of the ’ new historic second.
“After it’s all stated and finished. There’s a brand new guard,” Gibson stated. “Freddie Freeman’s his title.”
Photograph Credit score: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Photos
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