Los Angeles Dodgers star Freddie Freeman returned to the lineup on Monday night against the Philadelphia Phillies after missing eight games to be with his ailing son, who has Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Freeman’s 3-year-old son, Maximus, first became ill during the All-Star break in July and his condition worsened until he could no longer sit upright or walk and stopped eating and drinking. Eventually, Maximus was put on a ventilator while doctors searched for answers.
After an initial misdiagnosis, the doctors found the cause of the disease and Maximus is making steady progress in his recovery.
“I’m back, which means good things are happening in the Freeman household,” Freeman told the Associated Press on Monday before the Dodgers’ 5-3 win.
Phillies star Bryce Harper, a father of three young children, clearly expressed sympathy for Freeman after a hug at first base in the third inning on Monday night.
Freddie Freeman said Bryce Harper texted him at least four times during his nine-day emergency family leave just to check in. They hugged at first base after Freeman’s single in the third inning.
Freeman: “I was glad to be out there. Really.” pic.twitter.com/hmEAygyYeu
— Rowan Kavner (@RowanKavner) 6 August 2024
Harper’s friendship and compassion at a serious moment in his life obviously meant a lot to Freeman, who spoke about supporting the Phillies star after the game.
“Bryce probably texted at least four times during the nine days to really check if he was with us,” Freeman said.
In his first at-bat, Freeman received a standing ovation from Dodgers fans. Phillies players also joined in from the dugout, and their support for the Dodgers star was incredibly moving.
“It meant a lot to me that the Phillies handled this situation respectfully,” Freeman added. “I didn’t expect that, but the Dodgers fans really appreciated it. They really gave me a hard time in the first at-bat, but that’s a good thing. I tipped my hat pretty good and then my dad was sitting in the front row with my stepmom. He was, I don’t know if I can call him crying, but he was all moved and had tears in his eyes, and that really spurred me on.”
While his son continues to recover from what have been a very scary past few weeks, Freeman can now get back to work and help the Dodgers realize their World Series ambitions.
Freeman made 1 of 4 goals in his return to the lineup on Monday and is expected to start again on Tuesday in the second of a three-game series against Philadelphia.