Dodgers star thanks fans for support after emotional return to lineup

Freddie Freeman has had a difficult week.

The Los Angeles Dodgers star was recently away from the team after his three-year-old son Max was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with a rare condition.

The veteran slugger made his return to the Dodgers lineup on Monday night and got a hit after his son was released from the hospital and began his road to recovery.

Freeman received an ovation from the crowd and even shed tears during his first at-bat. After the game, the former MVP discussed with Jon Morosi what it meant to have the full support of the Dodgers fanbase.

"This means a lot. I can't thank the Dodgers fans enough," Freeman told Morosi. "It made it a lot more special to come back and get the win. It made it really hard to hit in that first at-bat. When you're crying on a Major League Baseball field, it's really hard to hit a pitch coming."

The moment certainly meant a lot to Freeman after the week he and his family had. Max was diagnosed with Gullian-Barre Syndrome, which causes the immune system to attack the nerves and can cause paralysis.

But after a long week, Max made his return home, and Freeman made his return to the Dodgers lineup. It was a moment that was truly bigger than baseball.

Freeman also got a hit in his return to the lineup, which made it even more special. But he had the support of not just the Dodgers and their fanbase, but the entire Major League Baseball world.

Baseball is a family at the end of the day and players will rally around each other in support when it is needed. Freeman certainly needed this ovation and he seemed to enjoy every bit of it.

More MLB: Dodgers star receives ovation in return to lineup after son's health scare