Dodgers crowd welcoming back Freddie Freeman might've been feel-good moment of 2024

The Dodgers welcomed back Freddie Freeman on Monday evening after an eight-game absence. He'd been away from the team since July 26, after his three-year-old son Maximus was hospitalized with what was originally diagnosed as transient synovitis, impeding his ability to sit, stand, or walk.

But the illness progressed, and Maximus was officially diagnosed with Guillan-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological disease in which the immune system attacks healthy tissues, after he suffered full-body paralysis and had to have his lungs reinforced to facilitate breathing.

Freeman was officially placed on the restricted list on Aug. 3, but thankfully, Maximus took a turn for the better and was discharged on Saturday. Although he will have to relearn how to walk and has a long road to recovery ahead of him, he seems to have gotten through the worst of it.

Freeman returned to the lineup on Monday and spoke to reporters while wearing a "#MaxStrong" shirt, which all of the Dodgers donned during batting practice that day.

He slotted in at third in the lineup, and when he stepped up to the plate for his first at-bat, he was greeted by a massive standing ovation from the crowd at Dodger Stadium as the home plate umpire gave him time to soak it all in.

Freddie Freeman greeted with a long standing ovation upon return to Dodgers after son's health scare

The visiting Phillies paid respect as well; Nick Castellanos took off his cap in center field and Bryce Harper, who Freeman said checked in multiple times while Maximus was in the hospital, joined the ovation from first base.

Freeman said he experienced an outpouring of support not only from the Dodgers but throughout baseball — Pat Murphy and the Brewers staff also sent him a video wishing the Freemans well — but having a packed house at Dodger Stadium on their feet upon his return was a deeply powerful and moving moment to witness.

The Dodgers are lucky to have Freeman back, but the most important part is that his son has made it through the worst of what could've been truly devastating circumstances.

Freeman singled during his second at-bat, and the Dodgers took a 5-3 win from the Phillies in a perfect tribute to Maximus.