Dodgers: Max Muncy Wins Heart and Hustle Award

Dodgers infielder and one of the brightest stars in Los Angeles, Max Muncy, has been rewarded for his comeback story. He is set to receive Major League Baseball’s 2019 Heart and Hustle Award. If anyone deserves the honor, it’s certainly Muncy.

Here is Max, along with his beautiful French Bulldog Jax, celebrating the award. The Heart and Hustle Award is given out to players each year who exhibits the hustle and heart that not every player has.

Jax stopped by to watch his dad receive the Dodgers’ Heart and Hustle Award. ? pic.twitter.com/ntOV84ZPdr

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 5, 2019

The Comeback Kid

Max Muncy represents one of the best comeback stories in recent years. He came over from the A’s after being DFA’d by them in 2017 and quickly blossomed into a star with the Dodgers.

Muncy has quickly turned in to one of the best players in the league and a fan favorite. His massive power, his new-found defensive ability, and his bat drops have put made him one of the league’s most exciting players. He is fun to watch and he is very good.

Defense, Defense, Defense

The 29-year-old infielder has also worked hard on the defensive side of the ball as much as anyone has. Last year, Muncy posted a poor mark of -4 defensive runs saved (all coming at first base). This season has been a different story for him. He has been worth a near-elite 14 defensive runs saved this season (2 at first base, 6 at second base, 6 at third base). For someone who most fans were hesitant to crown as the starting second baseman because of his defense, Muncy has proven everyone wrong with heart and hustle.

Legend of Boom

In addition to the wonderful glovework, nobody truly knew if Muncy was a one-year wonder or if he would be there to stay in his stardom. It has turned to be the latter for Muncy and the Dodgers. Muncy has crushed 33 home runs and driven in 87. He holds a masterful .253/.375/.525 slash line, boosted by an elite 15.4 percent walk rate. Last season, he was worth 5.2 fWAR and this season has been a near clone with a 4.2 fWAR in fewer games played.

The star and Dodgers’ poster child of heart and hustle was the rightful recipient of this award. We love Max!