'IT MEANS A LOT'
Freddie Freeman breaks down in tears on LA Dodgers return after his three-year-old son’s terrifying health ordeal
The LA star was given a standing ovation by fans at Dodgers Stadium
MLB star Freddie Freeman has become overwhelmed with emotion after opening up on his son's serious illness.
The Los Angeles Dodgers slugger fought back tears at a press conference Monday after Maximus, 3, battled a rare neurological disorder.
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Freeman shared a positive update on the youngster's condition after he had been diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Max was left temporarily paralyzed after the condition caused his body's immune system to attack itself.
Dodgers' coaches and players wore special T-shirts to commemorate Freeman's return to the facility on Monday.
"That's the first time I cried today," Freeman said, per ESPN, referencing the gesture.
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"It means a lot."
Max was placed on a ventilator after waking up on July 22 with a slight limp.
He fell into full paralysis four days later and spent eight days in a pediatric intensive care unit.
The 3-year-old was discharged from hospital on Saturday and is expected to make a full recovery.
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Freeman played against the Philadelphia Phillies in a three-game series last week.
The first baseman admitted he was welling up at the plate during the contest after being given a standing ovation.
Freddie Freeman shares positive health update on three-year-old son after 'full-body paralysis' in terrifying ordeal
"It made it really hard to hit in that first at-bat," Freeman told MLB Network.
"When you're crying on a major league baseball field, it's really hard to hit a pitch coming."
Max has now begun physical therapy and the long road to recovery.
"He's got to learn how to do pretty much everything," Freeman said.
MLB All-Star starters 2024
American League
C: Adley Rutschman (Baltimore Orioles)
1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays)
2B: Marcus Semien (Texas Rangers)
3B: José Ramírez (Cleveland Guardians)
SS: Gunnar Henderson (Baltimore Orioles)
OF: Aaron Judge (New York Yankees)
OF: Steven Kwan (Cleveland Guardians)
OF: Juan Soto (New York Yankees)
DH: Yordan Alvarez (Houston Astros)
National League
C: William Contreras (Milwaukee Brewers)
1B: Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies)
2B: Ketel Marte (Arizona Diamondbacks)
3B: Alec Bohm (Philadelphia Phillies)
SS: Trea Turner (Philadelphia Phillies)
OF: Jurickson Profar (San Diego Padres)
OF: Teoscar Hernández (Los Angeles Dodgers)
OF: Christian Yelich (Milwaukee Brewers)
DH: Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers)
"He didn't deserve this. No one deserves this, anybody who goes through this.
"It's not just my family. We were going every night, and every room is filled in the [pediatric ICU].
"And that is heartbreaking. So many families are going through things like this.
"We're one of the lucky ones that got Guillain-Barré that he might have a full recovery.
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"There are kids out there who are fighting for their lives right now. It just puts everything in perspective.
"But he's on his way. He's on his way. It's going to be a long road."
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