Freddie Freeman | Source: Getty Images
Freddie Freeman might be one of the best baseball players of his time, but the sport isn’t the only thing he holds dear to his heart. He and his wife share three children, one of whom was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease.
When Freddie Freeman isn’t playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, he’s at home bonding with his three sons and wife. One of the boys was welcomed through medical intervention after his parents worried they might not have more children. His children were with him when his team recently made history.
Freddie Freeman poses for a photo during the Los Angeles Dodgers Photo Day at Camelback Ranch-Glendale on February 22, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona | Source: Getty Images
On October 30, 2024, the Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series with the help of baseball player Freddie. The athlete and his team won against the New York Yankees, beating them 7-6 at New York Stadium.
Freddie Freeman during the first inning of Game Four of the World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 29, 2024, in the Bronx borough of New York City | Source: Getty Images
Freddie and his team celebrated the win by sharing another accolade garnered by the athlete that night. In an Instagram post, the baseball player was seen holding aloft his Willie Mays World Series
Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award
while celebrating with his teammates.
The trophy was given to him as a Major League Baseball (MLB) player who was deemed to have the most impact on his team’s performance in the World Series. While playing baseball is his career passion, Freddie has something more personal that he’s always desired.
His wife, Chelsea, revealed in a past interview that something else has always been dear to his heart,
saying
, “As long as I’ve known him, he said that since he was a little boy, he always knew he wanted to be a dad.”
Freddie and Chelsea Freeman pose together in an image uploaded on March 11, 2023 | Source: Instagram/chelseafreeman5 | freddiefreem
Striking a comparison between her husband’s love for baseball and parenting, she
added
, “As important as being a baseball player to him is, I think being a dad is even more important.” Over the years, Chelsea has helped him fulfill that dream three times! Let’s meet the trio.
Frederick Charles Freeman II
Freddie and Chelsea’s first child is his namesake, Frederick Charles Freeman II. He was born in 2016 and is eight years old in 2024. After his birth in September of that same year, his mother uploaded their first family photo.
In the Instagram post, Freddie was dressed in hospital scrubs, posing for a picture while his wife lay in bed holding their firstborn child. Chelsea revealed her labor with her son took more than a day, with Charles needing a C-section.
His mother
said
he came out “Healthy and perfect!! So smitten by this guy. ❤️👶🏼” Little Charles is now a proud supporter of his father’s career, and in October 2024, he joined his mother at Mets Stadium to
watch his father play
.
Freddie’s son seems keen on the sport, as he was seen playing with his father in an Instagram post the athlete
titled
, “Just like Dad. 🥹” In March 2024, Charles got to show off what he’d learned from his father.
He made his father proud by
throwing a perfect first pitch
from the mound to Freddie, who caught the ball easily ahead of the Dodgers’ game. The little boy was also on hand to
celebrate his father’s team
winning the World Series.
Charles and Freddie Freeman holding the World Series trophy in a photo uploaded on October 31, 2024 | Source: Instagram/chelseafreeman5
Chelsea posted several Instagram photos of her and Charles posing with Freddie and the World Series trophy. One image showed the little boy holding the accolade with his father, while the last picture was of the athlete and his trophy.
The next child to join the Freeman home is another son.
Brandon John Freeman
While trying for a second child, Chelsea’s home pregnancy tests kept coming up negative. Eventually, she and her husband decided to consult doctors and physicians. They attended many appointments, went through various procedures, and had many tests.
Due to the baseball season, she attended many of the appointments alone. She confessed that it is one of the hardest things she’s gone through mentally, with emotions running high.
Brandon Freeman celebrating his third birthday in a post uploaded on March 4, 2024 | Source: Instagram/chelseafreeman5 | freddiefreeman
Chelsea felt drained at the time and would question why the infertility issues were happening to her and whether it was God’s plan. Unfortunately, none of the measures they took were successful, and they weren’t sure if they’d have another child.
Brandon Freeman celebrating his third birthday in a post uploaded on March 4, 2024 | Source: Instagram/chelseafreeman5 | freddiefreeman
When they still couldn’t conceive, they were told Chelsea wouldn’t carry again, so the couple quickly embraced the idea of getting pregnant via surrogate. In the spring of 2020, the athlete’s wife had a procedure done to prepare for an embryo transfer.
Brandon Freeman celebrating his third birthday in a post uploaded on March 4, 2024 | Source: Instagram/chelseafreeman5 | freddiefreeman
Sadly, the start of the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the transfer. But nine days before the rescheduled date, Freddie’s wife took another pregnancy test and discovered they were pregnant! Chelsea
recalled
, “I started crying, and then I was freaking out.”
Brandon Freeman celebrating his third birthday in a post uploaded on March 4, 2024 | Source: Instagram/chelseafreeman5 | freddiefreeman
She
continued
, “And then it’s just all of those emotions again. It really did feel like immediately I was healed, all the stress and everything lifted off my shoulders when I saw that positive.” Since her husband was exercising at the time, she thought of a way to surprise him.
Brandon Freeman celebrating his third birthday with Freddie Freeman in a post uploaded on March 4, 2024 | Source: Instagram/chelseafreeman5 | freddiefreeman
Chelsea got Charles to draw her with a baby in her stomach, and when Freddie saw the image, he was confused until he saw the positive test! “No way. Are you serious?” he
asked
before hugging his wife, and they broke down in tears.
When asked if they still wanted to do the embryo transfer, the couple agreed. Although the athlete is quite private and has no interest in social media, in 2020, his wife shared their fertility issues via Instagram.
Chelsea and Freddie Freeman at the Dodger Stadium in a post uploaded on October 21, 2024 | Source: Instagram/chelseafreeman5 | freddiefreeman
Brandon John Freeman was born on December 30, 2020, and is now three years old. The boy’s name is in honor of his mother’s grandfather. On March 4, 2024, Charlie’s parents celebrated his belated birthday by sharing images of him on Instagram.
They revealed he was a sweet soul who brings joy and gives the best bear hugs. The couple
said
their son loves everyone and “You are the best surprise we ever got.”
Like his older brother, Brandon attends some of
his father’s matches
.
The last addition to the family was also a boy.
Maximus Turner Freeman
Maximus Turner Freeman became the third addition to the family when he was born on February 14, 2021. His middle name is a reference to the ballpark where his father played his first home game with the Atlanta Braves.
After welcoming their third child, Chelsea
confessed
, “It was always my dream to have three kids by the time I was 30. When my 29th birthday came around and I still wasn’t pregnant, I never thought it would be possible.”
She
added
, “I think our story is definitely a story that God always has a bigger plan. … Whether a family is looking towards fostering, adoption or surrogacy, children — no matter which way they come — are truly a blessing for any family.”
Her husband happily
stated
, “We went from one to three.” When Maximus joined the family, his and Brandon’s close births left their parents sleep-deprived. As the oldest sibling, Charlie helped take care of his younger brothers. His father said he helped with blankets and pacifiers and once even wore pajamas that matched those of his siblings!
In March 2024, Maximus celebrated his third birthday, with his parents posting several Instagram photos of the special occasion. Giving some insight into their son’s personality, the parents
described
him as “cheeky, smart and kind.”
Chelsea Freeman helps Maximus Freeman to celebrate his third birthday in a post uploaded on March 4, 2024 | Source: Instagram/chelseafreeman5 | freddiefreeman
With pictures of him blowing out birthday cake candles, they
added
, “You are determined and meticulous at everything you do. You give the BEST kisses. Happy 3rd Birthday!!! We love you so much!!”
Sadly, a few months later, on July 24, 2024, the Freeman family faced their first health scare with Maximus when he was rushed to the emergency room. At the time, Freddie was playing a game against the San Francisco Giants when he got the news.
Maximus sought medical attention after experiencing major pain until he couldn’t sit, walk, or stand. He was initially
diagnosed with transient synovitis
, a rare condition also known as irritable hip.
On July 22, Maximus had a limp when he woke up and that’s how he ended up on a ventilator in a hospital four days later. That month he was eventually correctly diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called Guillain-Barre syndrome, which left him
temporarily paralyzed
.
Maximus Freeman learning to walk again with Chelsea Freeman’s support in a post uploaded on September 26, 2024 | Source: Instagram/chelseafreeman5 | freddiefreeman
The illness sees the body’s immune system attacking the nerves, and now Maximus has to relearn how to do everything.
Maximus Freeman learning to walk again with Freddie Freeman’s support in a post uploaded on September 26, 2024 | Source: Instagram/chelseafreeman5 | freddiefreeman
But, doctors said he’d make a full recovery, to which Freddie
stated
, “It feels like a miracle. It really does.”
It took
eight days in the hospital
before he was discharged to continue recovering at home.
Amidst their trials, the athlete and his family received support from his team and fans alike. On August 5, while playing against the Philadelphia Phillies, his team’s players and coaches wore #MaxStrong T-shirts
to support him
.
During the game, Freddie
received a standing ovation
from the crowd after he got up to bat. Fans
cheered for him
for almost a minute before he stepped up to the plate.
Speaking about his son’s diagnosis, the baseball player
said,
“He didn’t deserve this.” The star emphasized that no one deserved to go through what they had, and he felt lucky that their son was expected to fully recover.
During a press conference, he fought back tears while sharing how Maximus had a scar on his hand from where his IV’s where put that he
called
a “boo boo.”
Freddie
called
his son’s recovery “miraculous” and on October 11, 2024,
Chelsea Freeman
shared good news, revealing that their son’s neurologist was pleased with how his recovery was progressing.
Maximus Freeman learning to walk again with Chelsea and Freddie Freeman’s support in a post uploaded on September 26, 2024 | Source: Instagram/chelseafreeman5 | freddiefreeman
The day was also the first time the child’s doctor saw him walk.
Yet, they were still waiting for his reflexes to return. His parents also considered leg braces, but Maximus’s recovery has been so good they are rethinking it.
Chelsea
revealed
, “With the help of lots and lots of PT, Max is getting closer and closer to being his normal rambunctious self.”
Wishing him a speedy and complete recovery.