“You could hear my mother’s voice when I was 3, 4 years old… It pulled me in, it made me cry.” It’s a seemingly simple line, but when it was uttered by Freddie Freeman – the star of the Los Angeles Dodgers – in the documentary “Driven: The Freddie Freeman Story”, it carried a thousand pounds of weight.
During more than a decade of playing in the MLB, Freeman was always a symbol of stability, professionalism, and bravery on the field. But for the first time, fans got to see a different version of him – a boy who lost his mother when he was only 10 years old, and carried that pain silently throughout his career.
In an unscripted scene, the director showed Freeman an old home video from 1993 – where he, with chubby cheeks and innocent eyes, played with his mother, Rosemary. As soon as her familiar voice rang out, Freeman suddenly fell silent. His eyes were red. Then he burst into tears.
“It’s been almost 30 years… I thought I had gotten over it, but it turns out… I never really said goodbye.”
The audience couldn’t help but choke up as they watched the tall, strong man put his head in his hands, like a child lost in memories, searching for his mother’s arms.
Rosemary Freeman – Freddie’s Canadian mother – died of skin cancer when he was a child. Her death plunged the Freeman family into crisis. His father, Fred, had to shoulder the role of a single parent, raising three children in poverty.
Freddie recalled:
“I never saw my father cry… until the day I put my mother in the cemetery. And that was the day I promised myself that I would never let what she sacrificed for me be in vain.”
Freeman has achieved almost every title in his career: MVP, World Series Champion, All-Star. But behind every step on the podium of glory, he always felt that one thing was missing – the proud eyes of his mother in the stands.
“I used to look up at the sky after every home run… hoping my mom was there, smiling.”
In the film, Freeman shares that he decided to tell this story not to cause sympathy, but to convey a message of healing.
“I know there are a lot of kids out there like me – lost, lost. I want to tell them: The pain will never go away, but you can use it to move forward. My mom is gone, but she lives on in every swing I make.”
“Driven: The Freddie Freeman Story” – More Than Just a Baseball Movie
Produced by MLB Network, the 90-minute film not only recounts Freeman’s inspiring career, but is also an honest portrait of pain, faith and gratitude. Many teammates, friends and family also appear, recounting little-known snippets of their lives.
In the film’s final moments, Freeman looks into the camera, smiling—but with tears in his eyes:
“Mom, I did it.”
The film will premiere on MLB Network on July 20.
Whether you’re a Dodgers fan or not, “Driven” is sure to make you look at baseball—and Freddie Freeman—in a different light: Not just about hitting, but about overcoming loss to become the man his mother dreamed he would be.