MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Before Mitch Jeter's 41-yard field goal sent Notre Dame to the national championship game, before Christian Gray's diving interception set the stage or before Jeremiyah Love's mutant performance ended with a braced right knee, Marcus Freeman was standing inside in front of his team on the Diplomat Hotel on Hollywood Beach on Wednesday afternoon.

Notre Dame's head coach had just returned from a final press conference before kickoff, the form of throwaway media event that will likely be forgotten before the ultimate photo of the bowl trophy might be taken. This wasn't one in all those moments. Not for Freeman, the pinnacle coach at Notre Dame, whose youth went against the grain of what it takes to achieve this sport of old guard and old-fashioned attitudes. A head coach, concerned that he hadn't won enough big games, decided to take a stand along with his counterpart.

Penn State head coach James Franklin playfully asked Freeman how old he was. He praised his hairline. He might as well have patted the 38-year-old on the pinnacle and told him what a very good job he was doing. Because that's how Freeman heard it and gritted his teeth. And now Freeman would channel that energy to a brand new source.

His players couldn't imagine it.

“He was angry. He was angry about the press conference thing, whatever happened in between,” safety Xavier Watts said. “He was angry about it. All the anger went to us and that anger went to the field.”

In a game where Notre Dame needed every little thing from a backup quarterback to 2 backup offensive linemen, Franklin managed to provide the Irish just a little more. There was more to this spectacular College Football Playoff semifinal than Franklin's self-inflicted verbal wounds – the confetti-strewn Hard Rock Stadium told that story. Notre Dame didn't win due to something said from the opposite sideline. It won because this program knows the way to catalyze every advantage and overcome every challenge.

Franklin just offered a bonus.

“I'm not going to talk about their head coach, but we felt like their team didn't really respect us,” Love said. “We wanted to come into this game and make a statement. Be the aggressor. Control her physically. That is the message. Be physical and play violent. The whole game.”

In the top, Notre Dame's 27-24 victory over Penn State was all that and more. The Fighting Irish lost three offensive starters in the primary half, with two offensive linemen missing for the sport and quarterback Riley Leonard suffering a head injury that Notre Dame ruled as something apart from a concussion. In his absence, backup Steve Angeli saved the primary half, if not the day, leading Notre Dame with a field goal after the Irish fell behind 10-0, their first double-digit deficit of the season.

There was more fire at halftime, Freeman urging Notre Dame to follow up its biggest bowl win in a generation against Georgia within the Sugar Bowl with something greater. The Irish were crushed on the bottom in the primary half by Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton, not to say tight end Tyler Warren. They didn't set the perimeters, didn't make their drops, didn't get the small print right that they’d mastered all 12 months.

And Notre Dame's offense, a disaster in the primary half, needed Love to play hero when so few others could. Left tackle Anthonie Knapp was already out and was replaced by profession backup Tosh Baker, facing a future top-five pick in Abdul Carter. When guard Rocco Spindler went down, redshirt freshman Charles Jagusah stepped in, a tackle who hadn't played all season, asked to play guard. And he did so for some inexplicable reason, as Notre Dame built a 17-10 record early within the fourth quarter when Love's 2-yard run through 4 Penn State tacklers one way or the other topped his 98-yard rating against Indiana and the College football playoffs opened.

This have a look at Jeremiyah Love's touchdown pic.twitter.com/oSdhKereqU

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 10, 2025

Love aggravated his MCL injury against Georgia to the purpose where his availability seemed to be in query prior to Notre Dame's arrival in Florida. And even through the week, Love didn't know if he would do greater than just take snaps, which wouldn't have been enough for Notre Dame. Not in a game like this.

“I just came out here and said screw it and went out and played,” Love said. “Whatever happens, I trust in God. I trust in His plan for me.”

After two singleton touchdowns gave Penn State a 24-17 lead, making it look like Notre Dame may not have a solution to those latest questions, Leonard shook off a brutal interception and located Jaden Greathouse for a 54-yard touchdown with 4:38 to play. It was a part of Greathouse's 105-yard, seven-catch night, the primary 100-yard performance of his college profession.

“This team has faced adversity, challenges and struggles all year long, we have been able to overcome them all,” Greathouse said. “That’s the feeling tonight.”

And then Notre Dame closed the door on Penn State because it does best, luring Drew Allar into an interception that was believed to be coming all night. One from Gray in the primary half was canceled out by a penalty. Another within the second half by linebacker Jack Kiser was taken off the sector by pass interference. Gray kept the third down by playing a coverage that defensive coordinator Al Golden said he hadn't called all night.

“He’ll throw one to us, he’ll throw one to us,” Watts said. “We knew it would come at some point, and it came at the crucial moment.”

Linebacker Jaylen Sneed put barely enough pressure on Allar to provide the quarterback just a little less time to throw, which was all Gray needed. Nice edges again. Some earned money within the film room. Some were taken in the sector. Some are gifted for those who know where to listen when the microphones are on.

Notre Dame converted Gray's pick into field goal range on a seven-play, 19-yard drive. By this point, Franklin had already served his timeouts and was unable to even stop Jeter's game-winning attempt. And perhaps it wouldn't have mattered anyway. The transfer kicker drilled his second 41-yarder of the night, sending Notre Dame to Atlanta, where it captured its first national championship since 1988.

In the Notre Dame locker room, Kiser tried to make sense of all of it, his six-year journey to becoming an Irish captain under this up-and-coming head coach who was hired to take this system where some thought it couldn't go. Kiser didn't need to go into an excessive amount of detail about what triggered Freeman the day before kickoff, when the 38-year-old head coach showed this program has a weapon.

And yet, as Kiser turned back to the locker room, a red digital clock flashed: 12:17 a.m. Midnight had passed. It was not a game night. It happened to be Marcus Freeman's birthday, now the early morning minutes of January tenth.

“Let’s just say Coach Freeman turned 39 17 minutes ago,” Kiser said. “So he’s not the young guy that a lot of people treat him as. Guys want to play for Coach Freeman, and when you add gas to the fire, things can get really explosive in that locker room.”

NEW YORK – Rapper Fat Joe sang before Game 3 of the World Series on Monday night at Yankee Stadium.

The fat lady might be next.

The Dodgers hit a two-run home run off Freddie Freeman in the primary inning and never looked back. With a 4-2 win over the New York Yankees, they moved inside one game of their first full-season championship since 1988.

Starting with Freeman's walk-off grand slam within the tenth inning of Game 1, the Dodgers have outscored the Yankees 12-4 in the primary three games of this series. They will fight for the championship – and their first World Series win since 2012 (San Francisco Giants vs. Detroit Tigers) – in Game 4 on Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium. It can be only the second victory within the 12 World Series meetings between these two rivals (the Dodgers also did it in 1963).

Shohei Ohtani has replaced Freeman because the injured Dodger continues to play heroically. Ohtani got here to pregame introductions wearing a brace or heating pad on his injured left shoulder under his jacket and holding his left arm near his body as he ran the bases. He went 0 for 3 but reached base twice – on a walk and when he was hit within the foot by a pitch.

Freeman now appears to have recovered from the ankle sprain that affected him a lot in the primary two rounds of the postseason. He converted an inside cutter from Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt in the primary inning Monday night and placed it in the correct field pitches for a two-run home run.

Freeman also hit a house run within the third inning of Game 2, becoming only the third player to hit a house run in each of the primary three games of a World Series (Barry Bonds in 2002, Hank Bauer in 1958). Freeman also hit a house run for the Atlanta Braves in Games 5 and 6 of the 2021 World Series, giving him a record five consecutive World Series appearances. George Springer also did it for the Houston Astros within the 2017 and 2019 World Series.

In what could also be his final game in a Dodgers uniform — he will likely be a free agent this winter — Walker Buehler remembered his own story. Pitching just like the Buehler of old, he held the Yankees scoreless for five innings, allowing just two hits and two walks.

The regular season's 5.38 ERA was irrelevant within the postseason. Buehler allowed six runs within the second inning of Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres – after which gave the Dodgers 12 consecutive scoreless innings the remainder of the postseason. He has allowed one run in his 18 profession World Series innings.

That six-run inning within the NLDS was fueled by poor defense — in order that they owed him one. The only time Buehler got into trouble against the Yankees, the defense tightened up around him.

Giancarlo Stanton doubled with one out within the fourth inning (Buehler's first hit). Mookie Betts made a diving catch for the second time on Jazz Chisholm's sinking liner before Anthony Volpe dropped a single into left field. Teoscar Hernandez threw and leapt fired a 93.9 mph bullet (his fastest throw of the season in keeping with Statcast) to catch Will Smith, who struck out Stanton and kept the Yankees scoreless.

After Freeman's power burst, the Dodgers took more pedestrian routes to attain single runs within the third and sixth.

In the third, Tommy Edman drew a leadoff walk, took second on Ohtani's ground out and raced home on Betts' bloop single to right field. In the sixth, Gavin Lux was hit by a pitch, stole second and narrowly beat the throw to attain on Kiké Hernandez's single to center field.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts all the time made Tuesday's pitching plan in mind when making bullpen decisions – and continued to make the correct decisions like he has this postseason run.

But he needed to endure scares within the sixth and seventh innings. Most dangerously, the Yankees put two runners on with two outs within the seventh. With Juan Soto on deck, Anthony Banda struck out Gleyber Torres when home plate umpire Mark Carlson called a 2-and-2 fastball clear over the zone strike three.

The Dodgers were only one out away from their fifth shutout of the postseason (which might tie Cleveland's postseason record set in 2016) when Alex Verdugo hit a two-run home run off Michael Kopech.

Originally published: October 28, 2024 at 9:01 pm PDT

MLB

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Freddie Freeman scored first game-winning Grand Slam in World Series history with two outs within the tenth inning that gave the Los Angeles Dodgers a 6-3 victory over the New York Yankees in a dramatic opening game Friday night.

Hampered by a badly sprained ankle, Freeman hit a house run on the primary pitch he saw – an inside fastball from Nestor Cortes – and raised his bat before starting his trot because the sellout crowd of 52,394 cheered.

It was paying homage to Kirk Gibson's game-winning home run that lifted Los Angeles over the Oakland Athletics in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series at Dodger Stadium – one of the crucial famous swings in baseball history.

Gibson, sidelined with a leg injury, got here off the bench and scored against Hall of Fame closer Dennis Eckersley.

Freeman, who missed three games within the National League playoffs with a right ankle injury, had not had an extra-base hit this postseason until he drained a triple on Friday.

“It actually felt pretty good,” Freeman said. “The last six days we treated it really well. I felt pretty good. When I ran out to high-five my teammates, I felt pretty good because it was the first time I had run this week. So, the ankle is fine.”

After the house run, Freeman ran to his father.

“I just screamed in his face. I’m sorry, Dad,” Freeman said, laughing. “He's been there since I was a little boy and gave me batting practice every day. So this is a moment, it’s my father’s moment.”

In this much-hyped, star-studded World Series between two of baseball's most storied and successful franchises, Game 1 actually delivered. It was the third straight opener to feature extra innings.

In the highest of the tenth, Anthony Volpe singled on a fielder's alternative to shortstop and scored Jazz Chisholm Jr. from third after stealing two bases, giving the Yankees a 3-2 lead.

The fast Chisholm beat Blake Treinen after which secured second place. After an intentional walk to Anthony Rizzo, Chisholm took third base unchallenged while Treinen was slow on the plate and Max Muncy played deep at third base.

Tommy Edman made a diving stop to left on Volpe's grounder, but initially couldn't get it out of his glove. He threw to second to pick Rizzo as Chisholm got here home with the go-ahead shot.

But the Dodgers weren't done yet.

Gavin Lux singled off Jake Cousins ​​with one out in the underside of the tenth and grounded out to second on Edman's infield single to second. Defensive substitute Oswaldo Cabrera threw the ball to the bottom along with his glove, but it surely ended up within the outfield.

That brought up star hitter Shohei Ohtani, a left-handed hitter. Yankees manager Aaron Boone again went to his bullpen for Cortes, a lefty starter who hadn't pitched since September 18 due to an elbow injury.

After missing the AL playoffs, Cortes was added to the World Series roster on Friday.

Left fielder Alex Verdugo made a running catch in foul territory, retiring Ohtani. Verdugo's momentum dropped him over the low retaining wall, advancing each runners one base because it was a dead ball by rule when Verdugo landed within the stands.

LOS ANGELES — Limping lizards, along got here Freddie Freeman, leaping around third base and hurtling toward the plate like a automotive with low engine oil and weak brakes. He runs as if he's going to stub his toe with every step. He runs as if the only of his shoe were crammed with thumbtacks. He walks like he's watched a Bruce Bochy instructional video.

He runs as if his right ankle is sprained and swollen and burning with every step—since it is. You can see it in his face. You can see that in his walk. And you would see it in the best way he stumbled into the waiting arms of Mookie Betts in the primary inning, setting the tone along with his looping dash home because the Dodgers trailed by 9 in Game 1 of the National League Championship :0 the Mets defeated series.

“I gave it everything I had,” Freeman said. “And I needed Mookie to keep me from falling over at the end.”

The pain, stiffness and general inability to maneuver didn't stop Freeman from scoring on Max Muncy's single. His trip symbolized the courage of his club. The Dodgers are banged up and hurting — but when their offense works prefer it did Sunday, they could just be higher than some other team in baseball. Only 4 are left. The Dodgers are the closest to reaching the World Series.

Freeman helped clear the best way in Game 1. He was considered one of three Dodgers to attract a walk when Mets starter Kodai Senga stumbled in the primary inning. When Muncy blasted a single up the center, Freeman needed to endure a 180-foot scramble to attain. He delivered two more hits, including an RBI single in a three-run fourth inning. In the eighth round, manager Dave Roberts replaced him on the sphere, as is now customary. Freeman ended the evening the best way he has ended most of them this postseason: unsure whether he would have the ability to play the following day.

“We have the utmost respect for him and the way he operates,” said outfielder Kevin Kiermaier. “He’s an absolute dog.”

His ankle is a each day crucible for Roberts. Freeman was injured on September 26 while sprinting through the pocket. Doctors told him the injury required 4 to 6 weeks of rest. After eight days he returned to the sphere. He called that injury “the hardest thing” he’s needed to cope with on a baseball field. And that was before he tried to play on it.

With Game 2 scheduled for Monday afternoon and left-hander Sean Manaea starting for the Mets, Freeman will not be within the lineup. Due to the short turnaround, he ran out of time. His pregame routine requires nearly five hours of treatment from physical therapist Bernard Li. “Me and Bernard Li could sleep here tonight,” Freeman said.

“I expect him to stay in there,” Roberts said, “until I hear otherwise.”

Freeman has now gotten used to this routine. That yr, he began doing crossword puzzles, a habit his elders practiced when he debuted with the Atlanta Braves in 2010. He is now 35 years old. “When I first came here, I pictured it as older guys in the clubhouse doing crossword puzzles,” he said. “Now I’ve become one.” He passes the time on the training table filling within the gaps. However, his rehab is basically not a passive experience. The exercises test his pain tolerance and mobility.

“Believe me, it’s not my fault that I’m just lying there,” he said.

Before Freeman takes the sphere, the training staff applies sparrow tape to stop his ankle from rolling again. The aesthetics will not be nice. Freeman limps as he climbs the steps to the dugout for early work. He limps as he runs onto the sphere for pregame introductions. He limps almost the complete time the sport starts, causing something like this a limping lizard from many years ago.

“Ever since I came here, everyone said, 'Look at what this guy is going to play through, you've never seen anything like it,'” Kiermaier said. “That was in August and we are facing the most important games of the year. For him to do what he did is absolutely amazing.”

The injury prevents Freeman from flexing the joint at the highest of his ankle. Every step is a challenge. The discomfort was so great that he left early in Game 3 of the National League Division Series. He couldn't play in Game 4. In Game 5, Muncy called a mound meeting to provide Freeman a breather after a difficult play at first base. He may not play on Monday and may not appear in three consecutive games in New York.

On Sunday, when Freeman faced a team that had defeated the Phillies within the preliminary round, he helped his club rating its first goal. The Dodgers knew they may not see Senga for long. Batters repeat a mantra when facing a starter in tight quarters: “He'll go as long as we let him go,” as Muncy explained before the sport. The group knows they will force an opposing manager's hand by assembling quality bats. “If we put a bunch of really bad hitters together, they're probably going to keep running him out,” Muncy said. “If we put together a lot of good at-bats, score a few runs and have a lot of traffic on the bases, we probably won’t see him all that often.”

Senga was erratic early on, unable to regulate his fastball or his forkball. Betts, Freeman and Teoscar Hernández loaded the bases with walks. Muncy hit a thigh-high cutter to center field. Freeman had built a big lead, enough for third base coach Dino Ebel to wave him home. Every step looked painful. Mets first baseman Pete Alonso clipped the baseball, sparing Freeman the ignoble try to slip. Instead, Betts waited for him, arms outstretched. The 170-pound outfielder braced himself for impact from his 220-pound teammate.

“Luckily I lift weights so I was able to hold him,” Betts said. “He gives us everything he has.”

Freeman wore something between a grimace and a smile as he escaped Betts' grasp. He limped back to the dugout. He still had a number of more goals to go.

“It’s not going to get better,” Freeman said. “But I think we're at a good point where it won't get worse again. Unless I roll it again.”

He plays like there's no tomorrow. Because when tomorrow comes, he may not have the ability to play.

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Willow Shields, 24; Amy Schumer, 43; Heidi Klum, 51; Morgan Freeman, 87.

Happy birthday: Make connections, get entangled, and expand your horizons. Make and keep guarantees you make to yourself and others. Consider what is very important to you and the way you possibly can make a difference. Reach out to organizations and other people who share your beliefs and you’ll gain access to beneficial information. Change is close by, and who you surround yourself with will determine the final result. Personal development, romance, and opportunities are favored. Your numbers are 3, 11, 18, 26, 30, 34, 46.

ARIES (March 21 – April 19): Channel emotional energy into performance and positive actions. Test the waters and find your comfort zone. If you play to win, you possibly can take steps to enhance your profile, financial earnings and opportunities. Put your best foot forward, placed on a smile and revel in life. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20 – May 20): Don't let anger hinder your progress. Focus on what you possibly can achieve and keep your distance from anyone who gets in your way. Take advantage of situations that provide you with the chance to try something latest or make you’re feeling good about yourself and your contribution. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21 – June 20): A positive attitude will assist you to attract latest friends, interests and opportunities. Explore your options. Get on the market, have a good time and prioritize romance. Take control and make selections that contribute to your happiness and well-being and you’ll be ok with your life and future. 4 stars

CANCER (June 21 – July 22): Do whatever it takes to avoid controversy. Jumping into the fight will only result in emotional turmoil. Avoid manipulative people. Do something that brings you peace and joy. Creative expression and a disciplined attitude will satisfy your soul. Indulge in physical activities and a healthy lifestyle. 2 stars

LEO (July 23 – August 22): Use your connections to get information and access to something you would like. A private change will not be welcome at first, but in the event you follow through, the tide will turn. Learn from a lesson and switch it into something worthwhile. Romance and travel are in the celebrities. 5 stars

VIRGO (August 23 – September 22): Think before you act. Assess a situation that will affect your position or repute and consider what the final result will probably be and the way you possibly can profit most without putting yourself in danger physically or financially. Choose brains over brawn and you’ll emerge victorious. Don't take health risks. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Be receptive and show interest in what others are doing. You'll discover a variety of information that can assist you to determine what to do next. Clear space to start out a brand new project or take the time to share your plans with someone you like. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Sign up for something that intrigues and stimulates your mind. The information you gather will result in something revolutionary and foster latest friendships with individuals who share your passion. Don't put unnecessary pressure on yourself. Identify what you should change and take responsibility on your happiness. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21): Don't hand over or let someone upset you get you down. Have more faith in yourself and your energy to attain what you would like. Opportunities start with you, so take the initiative to show your thoughts into something tangible. Love and self-improvement are on the rise. 5 stars

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19): Assess emotional damage and distance yourself from argumentative individuals. Change begins with you; recognize what is going on and you can see an answer that advantages you. Sign up for a challenge that can stimulate your mind and provide you with a probability to let off steam and regain your peace of mind. 2 stars

AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18): Pay attention to what's occurring at home and search for a possibility to do something positive that can bring you closer to the people you like. Don't let the changes others make tempt you to do something that isn't right or best for you. Romance is better off. 4 stars

PISCES (February 19 – March 20): Don't make assumptions. Get informed and alter what must be done. Use your intuition and discipline to complete what you begin. Work behind the scenes if that helps you avoid disruption or temptation. Be a frontrunner, not a follower. 3 stars

Birthday child: You are optimistic, fun-loving and willing to take risks. You are clever and determined.

1 star: Avoid conflicts, work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can achieve something, but don't depend on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll achieve your goals. 4 stars: Set high goals, start latest projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you, aim for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com or follow Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

CLEVELAND – The Oakland A's did not decelerate the Cleveland Guardians' offense late last month when the 2 teams met for a season-opening four-game series on the Coliseum.

That proved to be the case again on Friday, because the A's allowed five runs in the underside of the fifth inning and never recovered in a 10-2 loss to the Guardians, opening a 10-game road trip.

Starter Joe Boyle allowed a two-run home run to Tyler Freeman within the second inning and Steven Kwan and Andrés Giménez each scored two runs within the fifth inning, helping the A's fall to 1-4 in games against the Guardians this season. In those games, Oakland was outscored 39-13.

Cleveland starter Triston McKenzie (2-2) slowed the A's by allowing one run in five innings and striking out a season-high six. The right-hander had just five strikeouts in his first three starts after missing much of last season with an elbow injury.

Josh Naylor added a solo home run and Estevan Florial had a career-best three hits for the Guardians, who’ve won five of their last six and have the perfect record within the AL Central at 14-6. It's Cleveland's best start since 1999.

A's third baseman Abraham Toro hit his first profession leadoff home run and Brent Rooker added a house run off Scott Barlow within the ninth. Oakland is 7-5 after starting the 12 months with seven losses in eight games.

Boyle (1-3) made his fourth start and allowed seven runs in six innings. The Cleveland resident walked 4 hits and conceded five hits.

In the fifth, Boyle issued two walks because the Guardians loaded the bases. Kwan doubled and scored twice before Giménez scored two more together with his single.

“Other than the fifth, I thought I was pretty solid and efficient,” Boyle said. “Without these walks in the fifth part it would be a completely different trip.”

Freeman's wind-assisted home run hit the foul pole in right and scored Will Brennan, giving Cleveland a 2-1 lead within the second. Josh Naylor blocked a solo shot from Kyle Muller within the eighth.

The Guardians opened the sport with five runs within the fifth, highlighted by Kwan's two-run double. Giménez followed with a two-run single and got here home on successful by José Ramírez.

“There was some weak contact, but again, it's the walks and the free bases that really killed Joe tonight and caused us to fall behind in the fifth inning,” A's manager Mark Kotsay said. “I sent him out again for the sixth time. It's a part of that development that I still wish to get him back on the market and see how he recovers from that tough innings.

“He recovered in the sixth game but that’s part of that maturation process. When you get a few guys on base, you just try to slow the game down and he’s still growing.”

Oakland began a 10-game trip that included series with the Yankees and Orioles. The A's have one other stretch of 10 straight road games from May 10-19.

TRAINING ROOM

Athletics: OF Brent Rooker (thoracic cartilage) got here off the injured list after missing nine games and appeared as a pinch-hitter within the sixth. Manager Mark Kotsay said he would start on Saturday.

Guardian: RHP Gavin Williams (right elbow inflammation), who has been on the IL since March 25, is scheduled to throw three innings in a simulated game Saturday in Goodyear, Arizona.

NEXT

A's LHP Alex Wood (0-1, 8.10 ERA) has the third-highest ERA within the majors amongst pitchers with not less than 15 innings pitched. He also allows the third-highest OPS at 1.042. He faces Guardians LHP Logan Allen (2-0, 5.06 ERA), who beat Oakland and Seattle in his first two starts but gave up nine runs over 9 2/3 innings in his last two games.