While Southern California is buzzing with excitement over the Dodgers’ impressive performance so far in the World Series, Orange County high schools are rooting for the ever-unstoppable Dodgers.
Freddie Freeman, who led the Boys in Blue to victory with a walk-off grand slam in Game 1, has thrilled the fan base with consecutive hits so far in the series. He also set a World Series record on Tuesday for the first time to hit a home run in six consecutive games.
Amidst the excitement, the high school Freeman played for as a teenager is making sure to show support for the history-making alumnus.
“Freddie was always smiling. He was a goofy kid,” El Modena High School assistant coach Jason Moeller said. “You’ll see the smiles. And when he steps into the batter’s box, he moves solidly. He did the same thing when he was 14 years old.”
Freeman, a Fountain Valley native, is a local hero. His great baseball skills were evident even when he was still a teenager.
In Game 1 of the 2024 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees 6-3, with Freddie Freeman hitting a historic walk-off home run with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning.
“Even when he was a freshman in high school, they didn’t let him throw a fast ball on the first pitch,” Moller said. “He’s an aggressive hitter. First pitch fastball, Freddie swings. He always does that.”
Freeman’s former teachers and coaches always knew he would become famous, but it wasn’t necessarily his athletic ability that made him special.
“He’s unbelievable. I think he’s a future Hall of Famer,” said El Modena High School athletic director Edward Drzanek. “But in my book, that’s still secondary to how he is as a person.”
Now a fan favorite and professional athlete, Freeman made sure to give back to those who helped his roots. He donated $500,000 to the school to build a clubhouse for the school’s athletic program.
“All you want as a teacher or a coach is for the kids you coach to grow up to be young men and do the right thing, and Freddie did that,” Moller said. “The best part is that we can enjoy being a part of it.”
