Kirk Gibson had a “premonition” about Freddie Freeman before the dramatic World Series home run

LOS ANGELES – As Kirk Gibson watched dinner at his ranch in northern Michigan, he reacted the same way so many Dodgers fans did when the ball sailed over the fence in right-center field.

“F–king ay,” was his first reaction, he told The Post in a phone interview before Game 2 on Saturday night. “Do it.”

It really happened again.

Thirty-six years after a hobbled Gibson hit one of the greatest home runs in World Series history – a two-run, pinch-hit, walk-off shot off Dennis Eckersley in the Series opener over the Athletics – Freddie Freeman had his hit Kirk Gibson moment.

The star first baseman, still dealing with a right ankle sprain that caused him to miss two games in the NLCS against the Mets, hit the first walk-off grand slam in history of the World Series, capping a classic Game 1 victory over the Yankees.

“Before it happened, I had a premonition,” recalled Gibson, 67, who is a special assistant for the Tigers. “I realized what was going on, they were at the end of their last lap and Freddie came up. He got to the point quickly and everything very, very much reflected my situation.

“The bases are loaded, there are two outs and Freddie is basically hanging by a thread. I just felt like, “Here it is, do it.” I've said many times: When it happened to me, I was very lucky. You feel honored. He doesn't yet know what this can mean for his life and the game. It’s been an incredible thing for my teammates and I since it happened in 1988.”

Gibson has received countless messages from former teammates and friends since Freeman's seismic blast. He's still catching up with everyone.

It brought back fond memories of 1988. After defeating the favored Mets in the NLCS, the Dodgers were the Athletics' big underdogs.

Gibson was called for the hit with two outs, a runner on base and a run scored for the Dodgers. His left Achilles tendon was torn and his right knee had a torn medial collateral ligament.

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He still reached Eckersley on the eighth pitch of the dramatic strike. As he touched the plate, the injured Gibson told his teammates to be careful with him because he was in pain.

“I hope everyone gets a chance to do something like this because it's hard to explain what it means to you,” Gibson said.

He added: “I remember we went into the dressing room, it makes you happy. I remember my father and mother having to defend me against people who were critical of me. When I hit the home run, that was the first thing I thought of. 'Here we go, just shut your mouth, we're having our day and we're doing it right,' and that's what we did.”

Gibson's home run gave the Dodgers momentum that would lead to a series win against the Athletics. T

The Dodgers were considered slight favorites over the Yankees heading into this series, and this walk-off shot could have a similar effect.

“Maybe the Dodgers will be as lucky when it comes down to it (as we are). I don’t know,” Gibson said. “I wish I could say I gave him the scouting report like he gave me (Dodgers scout) Mel Didier, but I didn't. He is a great player and has been through a lot. Congratulations to Freddie Freeman.

“My whole run has been so over the top and finally someone else gets to carry the torch. Freddie is great. Things didn't go smoothly for him. I really respect him, the way he plays the game.”