Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy is having the kind of season coaches and fans dream of when they talk about an older player “recapturing the magic.”
He was named an All-Star this year, his third time overall but first such honor since the 2021 season.
Speaking with Bill Ladson of MLB.com, Muncy acknowledged that part of this strong season is due to him avoiding the injuries that have plagued him in recent years.
What also helped, though, was a mindset change.
‘It allowed me to play stress free’
Muncy told Ladson that one of the biggest changes he made was to stop focusing on outcomes and instead control what he could control.
“I had to stop worrying about the results,” he said. “I just wanted to have fun playing baseball and have an opportunity to play the game that I grew up loving. Before I was so worried about what was going on, things I couldn’t control. I took a total 180 on my mindset. It allowed me to play stress free.”
That stress free attitude has equaled results.
Muncy has 20 homers on the year and recently passed Ron Cey for second-most home runs in LA Dodgers history.
It’s a milestone that Muncy admits he “never would have thought” he’d reach.
“I was just hoping for another chance to play and see where it took me. I had no expectations other than to keep having fun,” he said of taking his minor-league deal with the Dodgers in 2017.
An all-around player
Beyond his success at the plate, Muncy emphasized the progress he’s made on defense as well.
Ladson pointed out that Muncy is ranked fourth among MLB third basemen with eight defensive runs saved, per the Fielding Bible.
“That’s what I’m most proud about this year,” he said. “I’m finally playing defense at a level I always felt like I was able to do. It has been a lot of hard work and learning how to get over the fear of making mistakes. That’s a tough thing to do. That’s what I’ve been able to accomplish this year.”
