Competitors often have a bond that goes beyond the white lines of baseball, but not many rivalries have the same level of respect as the ones between Freddie Freeman and Clayton Kershaw. Freeman faced Kershaw of the Dodgers 28 times in his career and hit 8-for-25 with one home run and two RBIs. That’s a .320 batting average, but it didn’t help his nerves. Fans watched their fights from the stands, but Freeman’s wife, Chelsea, recently revealed a personal truth that adds depth to their storied encounters: her husband really didn’t want to face the three-time Cy Young Award winner in the batter’s box.

Friday night at Dodger Stadium marked the end of an era as Kershaw made his final regular-season home start against the San Francisco Giants. The future Hall of Famer’s farewell performance reflected both his competitive spirit and human limitations, lasting 4.1 innings while surrendering two earned runs on four hits with four walks and six strikeouts. As Kershaw walked off the mound for the last time in Chavez Ravine, his teammates, including Freeman, gathered to honor the veteran’s remarkable journey.

Chelsea Freeman captured the emotional moment and shared her family’s profound respect for the Kershaw legacy through her Instagram story. “Straight to LA to witness this special night,” she wrote on the social media platform. “There is truly no one like Kershaw family – so sweet, humble, and giving. One of the very few pitchers Freddie ever dreaded facing.

What a great job and what a great legacy. This honest admission that Freeman “dreaded facing” the Dodgers star showed a fear that even the best hitters had when they faced Kershaw’s deadly curveball and pinpoint control. It was a sign of the pitcher’s psychological dominance throughout his career.

Another heartwarming scene was shared by Chelsea on her Instagram story. It featured the sons of baseball legends Kershaw and Freeman, both donning their dads’ jerseys to symbolize the tradition of passing the game down through the years. The fact that she tagged Ellen Kershaw in the Instagram post demonstrated the tight relationship between the two families, despite their rivalry on the pitch.

Freeman, who counted down the strikeouts Kershaw needed to reach the 3,000 milestone this season, spoke about Kershaw’s impending retirement ahead of Thursday’s game against the Giants. “It’s incredible, even in his 18th year, we’ve counted on him every fifth or sixth day in this season alone,” Freeman said. “He’s not a Dodgers legend, he’s a baseball legend forever. The greatest pitcher of our generation.”  

As the Los Angeles Dodgers organization honored their departing ace, the team’s present and future took center stage the following evening. The emotional farewell to Kershaw’s legendary career seamlessly transitioned into another chapter of excellence, as his teammate continued writing his own historic narrative.

Ohtani powers the Dodgers to a dramatic comeback victory

While Kershaw’s farewell dominated headlines, his teammate Shohei Ohtani continued building his own legendary season just one night later. The Japanese sensation launched his 53rd home run Saturday evening, matching Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber for the National League lead as the Dodgers rallied from a four-run deficit to defeat San Francisco 7-5.

Ohtani’s mammoth 403-foot blast to left field marked his 29th homer at Dodger Stadium this season, shattering his own franchise record of 28 set last year. Manager Dave Roberts praised his superstar’s complete approach at the plate following the victory. “I think that the home run title will be great. But I think it’s just a byproduct of taking good at-bats, and he’s playing to win,” Roberts explained. “If there’s a walk that’s needed and they’re not pitching to him, he’s taking his walks. And if they make a mistake, he’s making them pay.”

The numbers validate Roberts’ assessment perfectly. Ohtani also scored his career-high 140th run of the season, demonstrating his impact beyond the long ball. Starter Tyler Glasnow, who recovered brilliantly after surrendering four early runs, made his MVP endorsement crystal clear. “I haven’t looked up any deep numbers or anything like that, but I think [the MVP is] Shohei. He pitches and hits. I think it’s obviously Shohei, in my mind,” Glasnow declared.

The Dodgers’ championship depth was on display in the comeback win, with Max Muncy hitting a two-run homer in the first inning and Tommy Edman hitting the game-winning home run. The victory gave them a four-game lead in the NL West over San Diego, with only seven games left. This puts them in a great position to win another division title.