Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts unveiled the National League lineup for the 2021 MLB All-Star Game, which as he suggested would be the case, included Max Muncy as designated hitter. Muncy is batting second, behind San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr.
“That would be pretty incredible. That would be really, really exciting news,” Muncy recently said when informed of Roberts’ early thinking.
“I hope that happens, obviously, but that’s kind of out of my hands at this point. I feel like I’ve done all that I can to get my name out there and show the kind of player I am.”
The Dodgers’ slugger is in his second career All-Star Game. He previously was included on the NL team in 2018 as a replacement player. This season Muncy earned an All-Star selection as a reserve player.
In addition to Roberts and the Dodgers coaching staff, he is being joined at Coors Field by teammates Walker Buehler, Chris Taylor and Justin Turner. Mookie Betts was a fifth Dodgers All-Star, but has decided to rest and recover from nagging injuries rather than participate.
As manager, Roberts held the authority to set the lineup amongst fan-voted starters and who would toe the rubber. Late last week Roberts intimated he was deciding between Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer and the Colorado Rockies’ German Marquez.
The nod was given to Scherzer, which on top of performance, Roberts explained was in part due to Nationals manager Davey Martinez not being able to lead the NL All-Stars because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic forcing the cancellation of the Midsummer Classic last year.
Roberts picking Muncy as his starting DH gives the Dodgers their only All-Star Game starter despite having five players reach Phase 2 of fan voting. “I know Dodger fans were out there doing their best,” Muncy recently said.
“Unfortunately it’s a lot of the country against us, but thank you to all the Dodger fans that did vote. Not just for me but all of us. We really appreciated it. It was unfortunate but we really did appreciate everyone that got out there to vote.”
National League lineup
SS: Fernando Tatis Jr. (Padres)
DH: Max Muncy (Dodgers)
3B: Nolan Arenado (Cardinals)
1B: Freddie Freeman (Braves)
RF: Nick Castellanos (Reds)
LF: Jesse Winker (Reds)
C: J.T. Realmuto (Reds)
CF: Bryan Reynolds (Pirates)
2B: Adam Frazier (Pirates)
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and more!
