Freeman is not backing off.

“The goal is 162,” he said. “Hopefully it’s 161 because I always take the game off after we win the division, but the mindset is still 162 until I get kicked down to the bench one game or two.”

Other numbers took a hit in 2024. Freeman’s batting average (.282), on-base percentage (.378), slugging percentage (.476) and OPS (.854) were all his lowest since 2015 (when he was limited by a wrist injury).

“I had a pretty good first half. I was feeling really good in that Red Sox series coming out of the (All-Star) break,” he said. “And then obviously that Monday, when Max started to limp, I don’t really remember much. It was kind of all a blur. But obviously the numbers took a dip after that.

“I had a lot going on, and I did the best I could with what I was dealt with last year. … Obviously the numbers took a dip. But I thought I was doing really well going through the first half and hopefully we’ll just be … the normal Freddie that I’ve been accustomed to.”

Freeman’s regular-season statistics in 2024 will fade into the mist of history. His World Series Game 1 walkoff grand slam will not and Freeman has been reminded of that repeatedly. Fans have showed him tattoos of the moment and he says he rarely got through a day this winter without someone bringing it up.

“Charlie (his oldest son) and I went down a rabbit hole on YouTube, probably closer to around Christmas I would say just to see the reactions of people watching that game and what it meant to so many people,” Freeman said. “It’s special. And to be able to be a part of that, for a very long time — I’m sure this homer is gonna last for a long time — it meant a lot.

“Obviously what we went through as a family, to have that situation come up … Every day I go out, someone’s always coming up — we had to do our blood draw (as part of his physical) and they were talking to me about the home run during my blood draw today. It’s still going, and it’s cool. It’s special. I’m just glad to be part of so many wonderful memories for so many people.”

ANOTHER ADD

The latest addition to the Dodgers’ list of non-roster invitees in camp is former first-round pick Michael Chavis. Chavis, 29, was signed to a minor-league contract with an invitation to big-league camp.

The 26th overall pick in the 2014 draft, Chavis has played first, second and third base as well as the corner outfield spots in parts of five big-league seasons with the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals. He has a career average of .238.

HIs best season came in 2022 with the Pirates. He hit just .229 in 129 games but had 16 doubles and 14 home runs. He spent last year in Triple-A for the Mariners and White Sox, batting .257 with a .776 OPS.