Freddie Freeman made a heartwarming return to the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup on Monday night, following an eight-game absence to be with his ailing 3-year-old son, Maximus. The emotional evening was marked by a touching moment with Phillies star Bryce Harper, who embraced Freeman after a single in the third inning.
Freddie Freeman Return to the Dodgers
Freddie Freeman, who had been away to care for his son, received a standing ovation during his first at-bat. The Philadelphia Phillies, joining the crowd in applause, showed great sportsmanship. Freeman, visibly moved, stepped out of the batter’s box, removed his helmet, and acknowledged the crowd with a wave and a heartfelt gesture.
The Diagnosis and Struggle
The story of Freeman’s absence began with a misdiagnosis that led to the discovery that Maximus had Guillain-Barre syndrome. This rare neurological disorder, which Freeman and his wife, Chelsea, had never heard of, causes the body’s immune system to attack the peripheral nervous system, resulting in nerve damage and muscle weakness.
Freeman recounted the harrowing experience of seeing his son on a ventilator. “Seeing one of your kids on a ventilator fighting, it was hard,” Freeman said, his voice cracking with emotion. “That’s the heartbreaking thing. No one deserves to go through something like this. As parents, you’d switch places in a second to take that pain away from your child.”
A Miraculous Recovery
Freeman shared with the media how difficult it had been, often wiping his eyes and nose with a towel. He revealed that the strength to speak about it came from the miraculous progress Maximus had made. “If you talked to me six days ago, I would never have been able to speak,” Freeman said. “The reason I’m able to get through this is because of the huge wins we’ve been getting the last few days with him.”
The ordeal began during the All-Star break in July when Maximus fell seriously ill. Initially, he lost the ability to sit up or walk, and eventually, he stopped eating and drinking. This rapid decline led to his hospitalization and subsequent ventilator use.
The Fight and Small Victories
Maximus underwent two rounds of intravenous immunoglobulin treatment, a therapy that helps restore a compromised immune system. The family then faced a tense waiting game, hoping for signs of improvement. Freeman described the moment of hope when Maximus began to shoulder shrug, indicating a possible end to ventilator use. Doctors were optimistic as Maximus’ paralysis began to retreat.
Freeman, who lost his mother to melanoma when he was 10, found solace in the small victories. He vividly recalled the moment the ventilator was removed. “The ventilator came out at 10:46, I’ll never forget it,” Freeman said. “Within six minutes he was sitting on me. I can’t tell you how good that felt, to hold my son again.”
A Strong Name for a Strong Boy
Maximus, the youngest of Freddie Freeman three sons, has shown incredible resilience. His name, chosen by Chelsea for its strength, proved prophetic. Freeman’s teammates and the Dodgers staff wore blue #MaxStrong T-shirts in support, a gesture that brought Freeman to tears. “It means a lot,” Freeman said of the team’s support.
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Community Support and Hope
Throughout this challenging time, Freddie Freeman received an outpouring of support from his baseball family, including teammates, his former team the Atlanta Braves, and Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo. “The support and the love that have been shown to us, it gave us hope,” Freeman said. “It was needed, it really was.”
Looking Forward
Maximus is now back home and undergoing physical therapy to relearn basic movements, like walking and using his fingers, which are still in a claw position. Despite the ongoing challenges, Freeman expressed optimism about his son’s future. “We’ve been told that he’s going to make a full recovery,” Freeman said. “We just don’t know how long that will be.”
Freddie Freeman’s return to the Dodgers was more than just a player coming back to the field; it was a testament to the resilience of a family and the power of community support. Maximus’ fight and recovery continue to inspire, and the baseball world stands behind them, united in hope and strength.
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