Chelsea Freeman reveals how Freddie Freeman's Dodgers career nearly changed forever

Freddie Freeman had quite an overwhelming 2024 season, both on the field for the Los Angeles Dodgers and in his personal life.

Besides his excellent World Series performance when he launched a walk-off grand slam and contributed 13 RBI while fighting through multiple injuries, Freeman was going through a lot last year. Most notably, his three-year-old son, Max, fell seriously ill.

The young Freeman was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder that attacks the nerves and can cause paralysis. The illness can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection, and can vary in severity from muscle weakness to full-body paralysis that can prevent an affected person from breathing on their own.

Freeman's wife, Chelsea, provided frequent updates about Max's recovery progress as he battled the rare illness. At one point, Max experienced full-body paralysis and was placed on a ventilator. Freeman left the Dodgers to be with his son while he recovered in the hospital, and had Max not been such a fighter, Freddie may have never returned.

Chelsea Freeman reveals how close Dodgers Freddie Freeman came to retiring as son Max battled serious illness

“There was a point, like, if Max didn't get better, I don't know if Freddie would have gone back to playing,” Chelsea Freeman said to Stephen Borelli of USA TODAY. “So Max getting better in itself is a miracle and then for Freddie to be able to finish the way that he did … I feel like we needed that.”

Freeman made his triumphant return to the Dodgers, and Max even attended games at Dodger Stadium a few weeks after he was discharged from the pediatric ICU. Freeman batted .280/.314/.451 with three homers in August after his absence to be with Max.

The Dodgers and their fans supported Freeman the whole way through Max's diagnosis and recovery. LA's players donned #MaxStrong shirts and Freeman was given a standing ovation in his first at-bat back in the lineup.

The veteran's performance throughout the playoffs last season was the icing on the cake after a miracle recovery for his son. He was awarded World Series MVP for his stellar performance behind injuries of his own and turbulence in his personal life. Most importantly, though, Max is still on the road to recovery. Chelsea told New York Post on March 4 that Max is "doing absolutely fantastic.”