After hitting the first-ever walk-off grand slam in the World Series, Freddie Freeman did not stop to celebrate with his teammates. Instead, he went straight to the stands to find his father, whom he did, and they had a very emotional moment. Later on, he told the press, “This isn’t my moment, that’s my dad’s moment.” That one gesture says it all for the Los Angeles Dodgers star. His whole career has been a play for the people who raised him.
The first baseman is a two-time World Series champion, an MVP, and a nine-time All-Star. To appreciate Freeman’s greatness, however, one must look beyond the stat sheet. He plays for something far deeper than wins and losses—a promise made during childhood. “I just hope she’s proud of me,” he once said, his voice heavy with emotion. “That’s all I want.”
And his career is a masterclass in consistency, but the reason behind that remarkable reliability isn’t found in a scouting report. It’s discovered in the saga of his parents, a tale of love, loss, and a story that spans from the heart of Canada to the warm fields of Southern California. To truly know the man who has become a baseball icon, you must first know the story of his parents, Frederick and Rosemary Freeman.
Who are Freddie Freeman’s parents?
The Dodgers’ superstar Freddie Freeman was born to the household of Frederick “Fred” Freeman and the late Rosemary Freeman (née McDonald). Fred was born in Windsor, Ontario, whereas Rosemary was born in Peterborough. Together, they built a home and life for themselves in Southern California, where they raised their three children: Edward, Phillip, and their youngest son, Freddie. In 1985, Fred, along with three partners, founded Freeman & Freeman, C.P.A. It was a perfect life for the Freemans.
But then, their world was turned upside down with Freedie was only ten years old. His mother, Rosemary, lost her courageous battle with melanoma and passed away on June 13, 2000. Even though she was not physically present in his life anymore, her influence on Freddie remains the dominant factor in his life. She was, as Fred later described her, a “true, red-blooded Canadian,” and she taught her sons to have a deep love for their heritage. She is the reason why Freddie wears the maple leaf with pride for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic.
Where did Rosemary Freeman and Frederick Freeman meet?
Freddie Freeman’s parents’ story began with a twist of fate. Even though they were both raised in Ontario, their path crossed for one very short window. It’s the tale of when Fred moved to California as a young boy, for his father’s work. He lived in Windsor for 15 months, but that was enough to meet the love of his life. “I’m thankful for those 15 months because that’s when my dad met my mother,” Freedie said in an X post.
Credit: Freddie Freeman’s Instagram
Fred and Rosemary’s connection was immediate. He didn’t waste time and proposed to her at the age of 16 years old. His family soon returned to California for good. But the young couple didn’t let the distance come between them, so they continued a long-distance relationship. Ultimately, in 1976, they tied the knot in Oshawa, Ontario. They began the new chapter of their life in Southern California.
What ethnicity are Freddie Freeman’s parents?
Freddie Freeman’s parents, Fred and Rosemary, were both of Caucasian origin. As mentioned, they were born and raised in Ontario, Canada. And their heritage is consistent with the Anglo-Canadian background common in that region. Although they lived most of their lives in the United States, their Canadian citizenship was always important to their identity. This unique background is one that Freddie has embraced as well. The World Series champ holds dual American and Canadian citizenship. In fact, he has chosen to pay homage to his mother by representing Canada on the international level.
How is Freddie Freeman’s relationship with his parents
Freddie Freeman’s relationship with his parents shows the emotional essence of his entire story. A young Freddie, aged 10, vowed to himself that he would become a remarkable person in order to remember his mother and her legacy. Fred, his father, remembered, “He always said, ‘I know mom’s watching’.” It is a promise that continues to guide him to this day. He honors her every time he steps on the diamond wearing a long-sleeved shirt with a locket that holds a lock of her hair. “My mother was my rock. All I did was baseball, and I did it as much as I possibly could so I could focus on trying to hit a round ball with a round bat instead of my mother,” he shared.
After Rosemary’s death, Fred took on the role of single father and dedicated himself fully to his children. He never left Freddie’s side as he was the youngest. Every day after school, he would take Freddie to a local field for hours of batting practice. Soon, this routine became everything for them. Freddie credits his father for everything, stating after his 2024 World Series grand slam, “My swing is because of him. My approach is because of him. I am who I am because of him.”
Credit: Freddie Freeman’s Instagram
When Freddie was 12, his quick thinking saved his father’s life after Fred suffered from congestive heart failure. Years later, it was Fred who sat beside his 17-year-old son to co-sign his first professional baseball contract. Fred has seen his son become a great father as well, as he says, “Everybody thinks I’m this wonderful, good dad. But I can see what he does with his kids. And he’s better than I ever was. He’s such a good dad.”
Freddie Freeman’s story reminds us how achieving greatness requires a great deal of effort from family as well as the enduring legacy of love and sacrifice through generations. Freddie’s mom, Rosemary, saw a glimpse of the future. When Freddie was nine, he hit his first-ever home run and almost hit her with the ball. Forgetting about the near miss, she told her husband, “I can’t believe it; we have a home-run hitter.” And she was right.
The post Who Are Freddie Freeman’s Parents? All About Rosemary Freeman and Frederick Freeman appeared first on EssentiallySports.