Freddie Freeman rallies the 100-win Los Angeles Dodgers roster around a veteran’s farewell while battling through personal injury to secure another World Series for Miguel Rojas.
The Los Angeles Dodgers completed the regular season Sunday with a 5-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants, reaching 100 wins for the fifth time in their last seven full seasons.
Freddie Freeman believes the achievement deserves recognition even though the team’s ultimate objective remains ahead.
Freeman discussed the collective effort required to reach 100 victories, his desire to help Miguel Rojas retire as a champion and the work he plans to complete during Los Angeles’ five-day break before Saturday’s National League Division Series opener.
Freeman emphasized that winning 100 games remains significant for a team pursuing a third straight World Series. He noted the difficulty of sustaining that level of success throughout the grind of a 162-game, six-month season.
The accomplishment required contributions beyond the 26 players on the active roster. Freeman credited the organization’s depth, members of the 40-man roster and additions acquired at the trade deadline for playing quality baseball throughout the season.
“No, it has significance. It’s a 162-game grind, and to win 100 games is special. That’s hard to do. It’s hard to win that many games,” Freeman said via the Bleed Los Podcast.
“A lot of good things, a lot of depth. It’s not just the 26 guys, 40-man roster, trade deadline, and just a lot of guys that played good baseball over the course of six months. And to get 100 wins, definitely special.”
Sending Rojas out on top
Sunday’s victory also held additional meaning because Rojas has indicated that this could be his final season.
Freeman said the Dodgers share one goal for their veteran teammate: helping him finish his career as a champion. Los Angeles needs 11 more victories to make that happen.
“Yeah, it means a lot. I know we got one thing in our mind, and that’s make him go out a champion. So 11 more wins to go for us and Miguel, and hopefully we can do that,” Freeman explained.
Freeman enters the postseason attempting to correct an inconsistent swing while managing a troublesome right knee. Manager Dave Roberts believes the five-day break will be particularly valuable for his first baseman.
Freeman agreed and identified a foul ball during his final at-bat Sunday as evidence that a recent adjustment could be moving him in the correct direction. Although the ball landed foul, he drove it on a line toward right field, something he had not done recently.
He plans to take that adjustment into Tuesday’s work and continue refining it every day before Saturday’s series opener.
When asked whether his struggles resulted from compensating for his knee or mechanical problems, Freeman refused to blame the injury. He accepted responsibility for having a poor swing and not performing well.
Freeman intends to use the break to rediscover the swing he carried into the 2024 World Series and hopes to remain hot for three weeks. When a reporter jokingly compared his barking knee to a pit bull, Freeman quickly reassured everyone that he would be ready.
Freeman’s accountability
Freeman refuses to hide behind discomfort and instead directs his attention toward adjustments he can control.
His preparation also reflects the standards expected from a veteran leader. Freeman understands that postseason success requires daily work, even after a demanding season.
The Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves will compete for the opportunity to face Los Angeles. Freeman will use those five days to sharpen his swing, strengthen his knee and prepare for that matchup.
His loyalty to Rojas also reveals how deeply he values teammates. Freeman wants another World Series for the Dodgers, but helping a respected veteran leave the game on top provides additional motivation.
His discipline, responsibility and ability to respond under pressure could help Los Angeles secure those remaining 11 wins.
