How Kerr learned of Freeman's exit from the World Series during the Warriors game

How Kerr learned of Freeman's World Series exit during the Warriors game originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Die-hard Dodgers fan Steve Kerr was busy coaching the Warriors on Friday night as MLB history was made in Game 1 of the World Series between Los Angeles and the New York Yankees.

Luckily for him, however, he had a messenger right behind him telling him the game's most important updates.

During halftime of Golden State's second game of the 2024-25 NBA season against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center, Kerr glanced at his phone to check the score. At that time it was 2:2.

“I didn’t know anything that went on after that point,” Kerr said after the game (h/t Anthony Slater of The Athletic).

The game at Dodger Stadium went into extra innings as the Yankees took a 3-2 lead early in the 10th inning.

It came down to the final three outs for Los Angeles to avoid losing Game 1 at home. Dodgers catcher Will Smith flew to right and grounded out to first.

Next thing you know, the Dodgers had two runners on base after Gavin Lux walked before advancing to second base on a Tommy Edman single.

The Dodgers' late surge sparked a pitching change for New York, and Yankees manager Aaron Boone turned to lefty Nestor Cortes, who had the big task of bringing out baseball phenom Shohei Ohtani and Dodgers star Mookie Betts, to ensure victory.

Thanks to an incredible performance from Alex Verdugo, Ohtani was fouled on the left side.

One of those is ahead for Cortes and the Yankees, who made the conscious decision to move on from Betts to load the bases with eight-time MLB All-Star and 2020 NL MVP Freddie Freeman on deck. Freeman smashed Cortes' first pitch into the stands for a walk-off grand slam in extra inning – the first in MLB history – and stole Game 1 from the Yankees.

And as promised, Kerr's new friend a few rows behind him delivered the great news.

“I didn't watch the Grand Slam, but the guy in the front row right behind me gasped,” Kerr shared. “There was a dead ball and the guy said, ‘Oh my God. He did it. He hit him.' And I said, “Who?” He said, Freeman and I were like, “Okay.”

Game 2 of the World Series is scheduled for Saturday at 5:08 p.m. PT, an off day for the Warriors.

There is no doubt that Kerr will miss the competition as he continues to root for his boys in blue.

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