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If you follow Major League Baseball or watched the World Series between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, you have heard of series MVP Freddie Freeman.

Freeman's accolades in baseball are unreal:  Two-time World Series champion, he hit a walk-off grand slam in the 10th inning of Game 1, he is the first player to hit home runs in the first four games of any World Series, and his 12 runs batted in tie the World series record.  

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, here is what we didn't know about Freeman--he was nursing a sprained ankle throughout the post season, and he had broken the costal cartilage in this sixth rib, an injury that can sideline players for months.

Freeman was walking hurt, his breathing stung and swinging the bat felt impossible. He was still nursing a sore finger that he had fractured in August.  He wondered if he could even play in the post-season.

Freeman's dad told him not to play.  His father told him there would be another chance.  His response was, "Dad, I'm never going to stop."  It only hurst when I swing and miss.  So I'm just going to have to stop missing."  

The rest is history.  How bad do you want to play?  Not all injuries can be overcome, but the will to win the big game should drive any athlete to leave it all on the field or court!

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