Did Freddie Freeman’s grand slam give you chills too? It was the bottom of the 10th inning against the New York Yankees, the bases were loaded, there were two outs, and Freeman was limping to the plate on a sprained right ankle. But what did Freeman do? He stepped into the batter’s box and delivered a storybook moment, launching the first-ever walk-off grand slam in World Series history off Nestor Cortés.
The ball flew 413 feet, landing in the stands as the crowd erupted. It was a classic Freddie Freeman moment: a clutch performance when it mattered most, being calm under pressure. After defeating the opposition 6-3, the Dodgers won their seventh World Series in five games. Now, Freddie Freeman recalls that goosebump moment.
The LA Dodgers’ first baseman reminisces about his WS moment
On the Dodgers Talk podcast, Freddie Freeman shared, “And just to see all the reactions and how it affected people in such a positive way, it does bring chills to you. How the whole thing was set up. It’s like giving me kind of goosebumps right now when you look back at it and think about it, and to be able to come through in those kind of moments, I mean, that’s what you dream about.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts remarked, “I’ve seen some great baseball moments, but this one might be the best I’ve ever seen.” Do you know who caught the ball from the right-field pavilion? Zachary Ruderman, a 10-year-old from the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles. He batted the ball to his father, Nico, who sprang on it when it rolled from the seat in front of him. Now the ball has been sold off for a huge price in an auction.
How much has Freddie Freeman’s gland slam ball been actioned for?
Freddie Freeman’s walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series became a legendary baseball piece—so much so that the very ball got sold for a jaw-dropping $1.56 million! That makes it the third most expensive game-used baseball ever, trailing only Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball from 2024 and Mark McGwire’s 70th from 1998. But what’s even more incredible than the price tag is the story behind the ball’s journey.
It all started with a lucky fan, Zachary, when the ball rolled to his feet in the stands. As fans scrambled, his dad, Nico, jumped on it like a pro, snatching up the piece of history before anyone else could get their hands on it. Now, that ball is in the record books. It’s not just an iconic baseball for collectors. The Ruderman family, who sold it, hopes it will eventually land in Dodger Stadium, where it can be displayed for all fans to appreciate.
Freeman’s grand slam was the ultimate capper to a dramatic game, and now it’s the centerpiece of an auction that’s broken records. For those who can afford it, owning this ball is like owning a piece of baseball’s soul. But for the rest of us, it’s comforting to know that whether it stays in private hands or finds its home in Dodger Stadium, this historic moment will forever live on. And who knows! Maybe one day you’ll get to stand in front of it, marveling at the sheer brilliance of that unforgettable night.
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