Freddie Freeman's walk-off grand slam in the 10th inning led the Los Angeles Dodgers to a thrilling 6-3 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series, marking the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history. This victory drew comparisons to Kirk Gibson's iconic 1988 home run due to Freeman's own struggles with a sprained ankle, which nearly sidelined him for the postseason. The game attracted the highest TV ratings for a World Series opener in seven years, indicating renewed interest in the Fall Classic. Freeman's performance, which included a triple earlier in the game, has solidified his status as a Hall of Fame candidate, despite his recent injury challenges. Yankees manager Aaron Boone faced criticism for his decision to pitch Nestor Cortes in a crucial moment despite the latter's recent inactivity. Freeman dedicated his moment of triumph to his father, who has been a significant influence in his baseball journey.