Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Max Muncy achieved a significant milestone on October 17, 2023, by hitting his 14th career postseason home run during Game 2 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Muncy’s impressive 412-foot drive over the center-field wall in the sixth inning not only extended the Dodgers’ lead to 3-1, but it also set a new franchise record, surpassing the mark he previously shared with Justin Turner and Corey Seager.
The Dodgers went on to secure a 5-1 victory, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Muncy expressed his pride in breaking the record, stating, “It means a lot to me. The Dodgers are a franchise that have been around for a very, very long time. A lot of very successful players have played in this organization. And to be able to break that record is kind of huge for me.”
This latest achievement comes during Muncy’s 70th postseason game with the Dodgers. In comparison, Turner played 86 postseason games for Los Angeles from 2014 to 2022, while Seager appeared in 61 games from 2015 to 2021. Muncy’s accomplishment highlights not just his individual success, but also the numerous opportunities he has had to compete in October.
Reflecting on his playoff experiences, Muncy emphasized the importance of being part of a team that consistently competes at a high level. “The biggest thing I would say is it speaks to the fact that I’ve had a chance to play in so many postseason games,” he explained. “To be able to have that chance every single year I’ve been here, that’s always been the most important thing to me. You get as many chances as you can to win that World Series. That’s the reason why you play this game.”
In Game 1 of the series, Muncy nearly set the record early when he hit a long drive to center field that almost resulted in a grand slam. Instead, it turned into an unusual double play when the ball popped out of center fielder Sal Frelick‘s glove during an attempted leaping catch. The ball bounced off the top of the wall, leading to forced outs at home plate and third base.
When asked about his initial thoughts as the ball was heading towards Frelick, Muncy shared, “I definitely thought he got it. That back wall is so close to the center-field wall. I didn’t see the ball bounce at all. When I didn’t see it bounce, I thought he came down with it again. And I was about to be very, very frustrated. But I saw him sit on the ground. That’s when I realized he didn’t have it.”
In addition to his postseason home run record, Muncy also holds the franchise record for 60 career postseason walks. As the Dodgers continue their playoff journey, Muncy’s contributions will be essential as they aim for their ultimate goal: winning the World Series.