Dodgers News: Max Muncy Reveals Why He Went Back to the Step Back Move

Max Muncy had a rough start to the 2023 season. Through nine games, he had one home run, two RBIs and an OPS of just .505. After a great offseason, and a nice spring, this was far from the start Muncy was hoping for. However, he knew there was something he could do to try to get back on track.

Ahead of Monday’s series opener against the Giants, versus a team and in a ballpark Muncy has played well in his career, the 32-year-old decided to go back to an old trick. He brought back the step back move, something he stopped doing this spring, but a move he told Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain this offseason that he knew he had if he needed it. Well, he needed it, and on Monday, it paid instant dividends.

Muncy had a career-game, going 3-for-3 for two home runs, seven RBIs and a walk. He single-handedly carried the Dodgers offense, and led them to a dominant 9-1 win.

After the game, he told reporters why he decided to go back to the step back move (per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register).

“It was one of those things where we felt like I can be in a better spot without it. Through the first week of the season that wasn’t the case,” Muncy said. “We were just trying to find the simplest solution to get back into the rhythm. This is one of those things where it kind of takes it out of my head and the only thing I have to worry about is just getting my foot down on time instead of thinking about so many other things. It was just simplifying it, really. Even though it’s more movement, it’s simplifying it for me.”

While it’s not a move Muncy wants to do for the rest of the season, it’s hard to argue with the results. That’s why, unsurprisingly, Muncy told Kirsten Watson of SNLA that he’s going to stick with it, at least for now.

Muncy was out of the lineup on Tuesday for a scheduled day off, but did come in to pinch-hit and struck out.

He’s sure to be back in there on Wednesday, likely in the cleanup spot.

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