Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick delivered a huge World Series moment with a game-tying home run in Game 2, and back home in Lexington, Massachusetts, the people who watched him grow up couldn’t be prouder.
I'm Boston 25 news reporter Daniel Coates on scene in Lexington,
where the town's still celebrating a heroic moment
for the hometown kid this weekend.
Oh my God, I was so pumped.
I just jumped out of my couch.
I was like, yes,
Sal, that's my guy.
Christian Rojas and Game 2's hero Sal Frelick go way back,
years before this World Series.
The two formed a friendship through Lexington's Best
Buddies program just after Sal graduated high school.
He's a cool guy.
Through his years at Boston College
and now a Gold Glove winning right fielder in the majors,
the former Minuteman hasn't forgotten Christian or his hometown.
Adaptive phys ed teacher Tom Brinklow says Sal comes back each year
to help the school's unified basketball league,
where Christian was Lexington High's first captain.
There's so many kids that love Sal.
I don't think he's ever hit a ball that far.
From his Tampa Bay hotel, Sal's old baseball coach at Lexington High
getting ready to watch his former star shortstop on the biggest stage.
Even as a freshman, Zach Friedman recognized
Fralick's work ethic set him apart.
You drive by the field an hour after practice is over
and he's out there taking ground balls.
Chuck Shaw watched Fralick play from above
as the longtime program PA announcer.
With Sal it was never about Sal, it was about his team and his teammates.
They were all in it together.
And now, on the verge of baseball history, with his hometown behind it.
He really is a better person than he is a baseball player,
and that, I think, is a large part of what makes it so special.
We all love you. Let's go Brewers!
They also tell me that Sal makes
a huge donation every year to those town programs,
and no matter if he wins or loses,
they'll be ready to celebrate him when he returns home.
On scene in Lexington, I'm Daniel Coates
for WBZ Station, Boston 25 News.
