The two World Series Game 1 heroes met on the field for an iconic moment ahead of the first Dodgers home game of 2025

The Dodgers’ pregame ceremony before the home opener lasted about 40 minutes, included the raising of the championship flag and the unveiling of a championship plaque at Dodger Stadium, and even saw Ice Cube drive the World Series trophy onto the field in his blue convertible.

But it was all capped off by Kirk Gibson throwing the ceremonial first pitch to Freddie Freeman, honoring the two players who each provided improbable walk-off home runs while injured to win Game 1 of the World Series.

Both Game 1-winning home runs came with two outs with the Dodgers down a run. Gibson’s home run was a two-run shot off Dennis Eckersley to stun the A’s 5-4 in 1988. Freeman authored the first game-winning grand slam in World Series history, a blast off Nestor Cortes to beat the Yankees 6-3.

On Thursday, Freeman’s wife Chelsea and their three kids were all on the field before the game, as were Freeman’s dad Fred and stepmom.

Dodgers announcer Joe Davis emceed this part of the pregame ceremony, and even interviewed Freeman’s dad. Then, echoing his call on Fox from Game 1 of the World Series, Davis called Gibson onto the field with, “Gibby, meet Freddie!”