Max Muncy adds to Dodgers legacy with three-homer game

As the Dodgers’ clubhouse was clearing out on Friday night, Max Muncy reflected on how this chapter of his life started.How he was once a 27-year-old minor leaguer who made the most of unexpected playing time in spring training because of a norovirus outbreak in Dodgers camp in 2018.How he was called up to the major leagues that season only because of an injury to Logan Forsythe.Back then, who would have guessed he’d still be here? Who would have guessed he’d go on to hit more home runs in a Dodgers uniform than Steve Garvey? Who would have guessed he’d be finishing a three-homer game with a walk-off blast as a 35-year-old, as he did on Friday night in an 8-7 victory over the Rangers? “That’s not bad,” Muncy said, shaking his head.

“Not bad.”Perhaps because of how the Dodgers portion of his career started, Muncy has done everything possible to extend it, and that’s how he ended up with another story he can one day share with his future grandchildren.“It’s just special,” he said.The three-homer game was a testament to his patience, with Muncy saying he’s finally recovered from a dislocated elbow and torn ulnar collateral ligament he sustained in 2021 when a runner sprinted through his outstretched left arm at first base.“Just with it being my back arm, I wasn’t able to do things that I wanted to do and that was one of the things that was tough for me, driving the ball to left field,” he said.“The last two years, I really feel like I’ve been able to do that a little bit.

I’m always going to pull the ball, but when I can stay through the center of the field, that’s when I feel like everything’s working really well.”The performance on Friday night was also the result of sacrifice – to be more precise, the sacrifice of one of his former dietary staples.“Really cut back on the bread,” Muncy said.“That’s a hard thing in our family.

We really love bread.”By changing what he ate, Muncy was able to transform his bo...