Los Angeles Dodgers star Freddie Freeman blasted a walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the World Series last week, and his teammates mobbed him as he reached home plate.  

But the euphoria of the moment stood in stark contrast to some of the pain and hardship Freeman has endured in recent months.

In July, his son was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition that sent him into temporary paralysis. Freeman was away from the team for 10 days.

In August, he fractured his finger. In the National League Championship Series earlier this month, Freeman missed two of the final three games with a severe ankle sprain.

Now, he is back and performing at a high level on the biggest stage of the sport.

“When you do things the right way, you play the right way, you’re a good teammate, I just believe the game honors you,” Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts said after Game 1. “Tonight, Freddie was honored.”

It’s an important message for any coach, executive, or leader.  

At some point or another, all of us will experience what feels like overwhelming hardship, difficulties we have little control over but now must navigate. 

It’s easy to lament these situations and wonder when our luck will turn.

But amid the hardship and setbacks, we may benefit from reminding ourselves of Roberts’ message.

Good things happen to good people over time, and consistent, well-meaning actions put us in positions to catch breaks and ultimately succeed.

Freeman hit another home run in Game 3 of the World Series on Monday night, and while it’s easy to dismiss his triumphs as a great baseball player performing at his best in a clutch spot, the more meaningful lesson is larger in scope.

When we consistently do things the right way, we must maintain faith that the game will honor us over time.

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