The 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. His impressive 412-foot drive over the center-field wall in the sixth inning not only helped extend the Dodgers’ lead to 3-1 but also set a new franchise record, surpassing the mark he previously shared with Justin Turner and Corey Seager.
Muncy’s solo shot off Brewers starter Freddy Peralta contributed to the Dodgers’ eventual 5-1 victory, giving them a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Reflecting on his achievement, Muncy expressed the significance of the record, stating, “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.”
With this home run, Muncy has now played in 70 postseason games with the Dodgers, a notable achievement compared to Turner’s 86 games from 2014 to 2022 and Seager’s 61 games from 2015 to 2021. Muncy had come close to breaking the record in Game 1 of the series when he hit a deep fly ball that narrowly missed becoming a grand slam. Instead, it resulted in an unusual 8-6-2 double play after the ball slipped out of center fielder Sal Frelick‘s glove during a leaping attempt.
When asked if he feared Frelick would catch the ball, Muncy recounted, “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.”
Muncy holds another franchise record with 60 career postseason walks, underscoring his significant contributions to the team in critical moments. His performance illustrates the depth of talent within the Dodgers roster and their capability of making impactful plays in high-stakes situations.
As the series progresses, Muncy’s achievement adds to the excitement surrounding the Dodgers and their quest for a World Series title. With Muncy’s potent bat and a strong supporting cast, the Dodgers remain well-positioned to advance further in the postseason.
