Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Max Muncy made history 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 blast over the center-field wall in the sixth inning not only extended the Dodgers’ lead to 3-1 but also broke the franchise record he had previously shared with Justin Turner and Corey Seager. The Dodgers ultimately secured a 5-1 victory, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
In reflecting on his achievement, Muncy expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play for such a storied franchise. “It means a lot to me,” he said. “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.”
Muncy highlighted the significance of his postseason experience, emphasizing that consistent opportunities to compete in October are what drive players. “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 added. “To be able to have that chance every single year I’ve been here, that’s always been the most important thing to me.”
This home run marked Muncy’s 70th postseason game with the Dodgers. In comparison, Turner participated in 86 postseason games for Los Angeles from 2014 to 2022, while Seager played in 61 between 2015 and 2021. Muncy had nearly set the record during Game 1 of the series, where a long drive resulted in an unusual double play. The ball, which was inches away from becoming a grand slam, popped out of Sal Frelick’s glove, leading to a rare 8-6-2 play that prevented the Dodgers from scoring.
When asked about the near miss, Muncy recalled, “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 record-setting home runs, Muncy also holds the Dodgers franchise record for career postseason walks, with a total of 60. His contributions continue to be vital as the Dodgers aim for success in the current postseason, showcasing the talent and resilience that has become synonymous with the Los Angeles franchise.
