Max Muncy gave the Los Angeles Dodgers a participant in the Home Run Derby for a fifth consecutive year, become their 10th different player to partake in the annual event, and their 12th overall appearance.
Despite the long history and noted sluggers representing the Dodgers — Matt Kemp, Joc Pederson, Cody Bellinger, among others — they’ve yet to produce a winner. That didn’t change this year with Muncy, who leads the team with 22 home runs.
Muncy advanced against Chicago Cubs infielder Javier Baez in the first round but was then eliminated by eventual champion and hometown hero Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals.
While Muncy became the latest Dodgers player to fall short in the Derby, that he even was in position to participate is an accomplishment. He began the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City and few, if anyone, could have predicted Muncy would make an impact for the Dodgers.
The 27-year-old certainly would have preferred to emerge victorious but still enjoyed his experience in the Home Run Derby, per Richard Justice of MLB.com:
“It was incredible,” Muncy said. “It’s hard to explain. It was so much fun being out there with all the guys. It was unbelievable — music going, guys out there cheering, fans are cheering. It was a great experience.”
Getting to perform on that stage further added to Muncy’s motivation to reach the All-Star Game:
“I loved it,” Muncy said. “It was a good time. It makes me hungry to get back here next year and actually be on the [National League All-Star] team.”
Muncy was among five candidates for the National League Final Vote, which was won by Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jesús Aguilar, who also participated in the Home Run Derby.
Although Muncy missed out on making the NL team, he was supported by All-Stars Kenley Jansen and Matt Kemp and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts during the Derby.
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