Freddie Freeman: The Greatest Story in Sports

Freddie Freeman's MVP performance in this year's World Series was one of the greatest we have seen. From becoming the first player in history to hit a home run in the first four games of the World Series (including a walk-off grand slam in Game 1) to a record-tying 12 RBIs, he has lived every athlete's dream. But for Freddie, this year was not defined just by his play on the field, but by resilience, family, and faith.

While Freeman was off to a great start to the season, his personal life took him through a whirlwind of emotions. In July, his 3 year old son, Maximus, was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome. This is a rare neurological disorder that happens when your body's immune system attacks the nerves, causing weakness or paralysis. Maximus was hospitalized for eight days in intensive care, during which Freeman and his family stayed by his side. Thankfully, Maximus was discharged and has begun physical therapy to regain his strength.

This moment of emotional hardship was unfortunately nothing new to Freeman. His mother passed away after a battle with cancer when he was only 10, and soon after his father was nearly killed in a serious car accident. In these difficult moments, Freeman turned to his faith, which he frequently speaks about as something that sustains him. He has said in interviews that, "It was my faith that gave me strength when I didn't know where else to turn." His story is a testament to how faith can ground us.

Even in these turbulent times, Freeman was able to bounce back and give an MVP performance when his team needed him most. After his walk-off grand slam in Game 1, he dedicated this moment to his father, who has been his biggest supporter throughout his career. They were both able to celebrate that moment together on the field, where Freeman said, "My dad's been there through every step of this journey. To have him there in that moment, after this season, was one of the greatest memories of my life."

Resilience is defined as the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties. No one embodies that word like Freddie Freeman. It is clear that we need more athletes like him in sports, individuals with strong character and resilience to support teammates and family even in the darkest moments. While 50 years from now his athletic performances and records may be bested, what will be remembered is all the lives that he has positively impacted.