World Series MVP Freddie Freeman Talks Son’s Guillain-Barré Experience

Freddie Freeman may be celebrating his 2024 World Series win and MVP title, but the dad of three’s journey to the top wasn’t easy this year.

Just 3 months ago, the Freeman family faced a major health scare when their youngest son, Maximus, was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome. A rare condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the nerves, Guillain-Barré syndrome often leads to muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. In the case of Freeman’s son, Max, what began as a slight limp on July 22 quickly progressed into full paralysis just four days later.

Thanks to swift medical intervention, Max was removed from his ventilator five days after going into complete paralysis. The worst was over, but Max would spend eight days in the pediatric intensive care unit before being discharged and beginning physical therapy.

“I would gladly strike out with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning in Game 7 of the World Series 300 million times in a row than see that again. But he’s on his way. He’s on his way. It’s going to be a long road," Freeman told ESPN, describing his son’s brush with paralysis. “We’re one of the lucky ones that got Guillain-Barré that he might have a full recovery. There are kids out there who are fighting for their lives right now. It just puts everything in perspective.”

Freeman adds that Max’s personality is back, “but he’s got to learn how to do pretty much everything” again, from walking to using a spoon. Chelsea Freeman shared Max’s triumphant first steps, round two, on October 10. By October 21, as the Dodgers clinched their World Series spot, Max stood on the field with his big brothers, Charlie, 8, and Brandon, 3—an unforgettable moment for the Freeman family.

Here’s to Max’s incredible road to recovery!