Since playing a prominent role in the Los Angeles Dodgers winning the 2024 World Series, Freddie Freeman has been rightfully celebrated and featured in various media projects.
Among them was “Fight for Glory: 2024 World Series” documentary on Apple TV+, and now he’s the sole focus of “Driven: The Freddie Freeman Story” that premieres Thursday at 5 p.m. PT on MLB Network.
DodgerBlue.com was provided access to an advanced screening.
The 90-minute special explores Freeman’s storied career and personal life, which has included the heartbreaking passing of his mother, Rosemary, in 2000 due to melanoma (skin cancer). Freeman was just 10 years old at the time.
“I’ve gone through a lot in my life. I appreciate this game and what it’s given me,” he says in the documentary. “If I cry on the field, I don’t care. Whatever happens – hitting a home run, whatever it is – it’s just raw emotion. Baseball has given me so much.”
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, manager Dave Roberts, teammate Mookie Betts, Freeman’s father, and former teammates Justin Turner, Jason Heyward and Dansby Swanson are among those who were interviewed in the documentary.
“When you’re trying to build something, sustain something, it’s all about the people,” Roberts says. “And there is no better person than Freddie Freeman.”
Freddie Freeman documentary highlights
Walk-off grand slam
MLB Network’s special opens with reliving Freeman’s walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series. It marked the start of a record-setting performance against the New York Yankees that culminated with Freeman winning World Series MVP honors.
Family life
Along with detailing how close of a bond Freeman shared with his mother, the documentary also shares unique insight from his father and the nine-time All-Star himself discussing the formative years of his childhood.
“They kind of pushed me,” Freeman said of his older brothers playing baseball. The sport became a refuge for Freeman and his dad.
“We were just having fun and doing something we loved together,” Freeman recalled. “We practiced every day. I mean, he still throws me batting practice getting ready for a season.”
Braves draft Freeman
The Atlanta Braves drafted Freeman in the second round with the No. 78 overall pick in the 2007 MLB Draft. He was just 17 years old at the time and needed to do some convincing of his father to bypass college.
The father and son recount a key conversation and promise Freeman made as he embarked on a professional career.
Signing with the Dodgers
Freeman had an emotional and surprising split from the Braves in the offseason after helping them win the 2021 World Series.
“In November, we set up a Zoom call and pitched the Dodgers,” Friedman said. “And it kind of felt like a waste of time. But it was like, we need to do this. We have to do this. But more than likely, we’re just kind of lighting time on fire.”
The Dodgers wound up signing Freeman to a six-year, $162 million contract.
Bonding with Betts
As Freeman was adjusting to life on a new team, Betts approached him during Spring Training and offered to be a sounding board. Betts had been in a similar position not long before, when he was traded by the Boston Red Sox to the Dodgers before the 2020 season.
Betts and Freeman have since gone on to become close teammates, which has extended to their families.
Max’s recovery
As the documentary nears its culmination with Freeman’s heroics in the World Series, it first revisits Max’s harrowing hospitalization due to Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).
Freeman reiterates the gratitude he had for the Dodgers organization and fans for their support during that challenging time. Freeman shares that going through the scare, along with multiple injuries he needed to navigate, contributed to an overwhelming feeling of joy and relief once the Dodgers won the World Series.
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