Freddie Freeman was among the Los Angeles Dodgers to participate in MLB Players Weekend returning for the first time since 2019 as his cleats and bats were designed in recognition of the three sons he shares with wife Chelsea Freeman.
Freeman had one bat with each of his sons’ names on them (Charlie, Brandon and Maximus) and the design included “#MaxStrong” engraved on all three as well.
The opportunity to showcase his family, and specifically Max, is of greater significance to Freeman this weekend compared to normal days, when it’s plenty clear how proud he is to be a father. Maximus was recently hospitalized with a case of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological condition that causes the body’s immune system to fight its own nerves.
Freeman’s custom equipment further highlighted Max’s journey by being set to a “Spider-Man” theme color.
Freddie Freeman’s bats and cleats for #PlayersWeekend. #MaxStrong pic.twitter.com/LXd3GsToMv
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) August 16, 2024
“When he was born, we were trying to figure out a name. We had to name two kids at the time. Chelsea came upon Maximus. I was like, ‘That’s a strong name.’ I didn’t know it would be proven true within four years of his life of how strong this little boy is,” Freeman recalled when he returned to the Dodgers.
“It’s heartbreaking. It really is. Chelsea has been telling me she’s been kind of updating everyone as we’ve gone through. You could see his smile again. She showed me one of the pictures she was going to let out, and that’s how he is at home right now. Where his IVs were, he has a little scab, and he calls that his ‘boo-boo.’
“He thinks that’s his only boo-boo, which is wonderful. When he had the ventilator out and his feeding tube came out, he still had his IVs in, so he was acting like he’s Spider-Man. Anybody that came in, he was shooting them like, ‘Pew!'”
The start of Players Weekend 2024 also coincided with Freeman reaching a personal milestone as it was his 2,000th career game.
How is Freddie Freeman’s son?
Freeman didn’t rejoin the Dodgers until Max was released from the hospital and making progress at home. His recovery has continued, and on Friday, Chelsea shared through an Instagram post that follow-up doctors appointments have gone well, and Max is able to sit without assistance.
“We are so happy with how well Max has been progressing,” Chelsea added.
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