MILWAUKEE — For a franchise that has had no shortage of superstars — both past and present — it’s now Max Muncy who sits alone atop the Dodgers’ all-time postseason home run leaderboard.
Muncy’s latest blast came on a clutch solo shot in the sixth inning of Tuesday night’s 5-1 win over the Brewers in Game 2 of the NLCS at American Family Field. It marked his 14th career postseason homer, breaking a tie with Corey Seager and Justin Turner for the franchise record.
“It means a lot to me,” Muncy said. “The Dodgers are a franchise that has been around for a very, very long time. A lot of very successful players have played in this organization. And to be able to break that record is kind of huge for me.”
With the bases loaded in the fourth inning of Game 1, Muncy sent a fly ball to deep center field, where Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick made a leaping attempt at the wall. The ball bounced in and out of his glove, then off the wall — and back into his glove.
Muncy was as confused as just about everyone else in the ballpark as Milwaukee relayed the ball back to the infield for what turned into a first-of-its-kind 8-6-2 double play — instead of a record-setting grand slam.
So, what was going through Muncy’s mind when Frelick raced back to the wall and again made a leaping effort on Tuesday night?
“I definitely thought he got it,” Muncy said. ” … I didn’t see the ball bounce at all. When I didn’t see it bounce, I thought he came down with it again.
“And I was about to be very, very frustrated.”
This time, however, it was the Brewers who were left in a stunned silence as Muncy circled the bases.
“But I saw [Frelick] sit on the ground — that’s when I realized he didn’t have it,” Muncy said. “And I was obviously very ecstatic. Big home run in that moment. … In the back of my mind, I also knew that one broke the record. So, for me, that was a really cool moment.”
Muncy acknowledged that he’s certainly had plenty of opportunities on the game’s biggest stage, thanks to both the expanded postseason format and the Dodgers’ success during his eight seasons with the club.
Tuesday night marked his 70th career postseason game, all of which have come with the Dodgers. Only Turner (86), Kiké Hernández (83) and Chris Taylor (80) have logged more postseason appearances for L.A.
“But the biggest thing I would say is it speaks to the fact that I’ve had a chance to play in so many postseason games,” Muncy said. “And that’s the biggest thing about being a Dodger: You know you’ll have a chance in October to play meaningful baseball games.”
That said, Muncy has been a big part of the Dodgers so consistently having that opportunity.
“To be able to have that chance every single year I’ve been here, that’s always been the most important thing to me,” Muncy said. “You get as many chances as you can to win that World Series. That’s the reason why you play this game.”
The Dodgers are two wins away from winning their second straight NL pennant — and six victories away from becoming the first team to repeat as World Series champions since the 1998-2000 Yankees.
So, Muncy is hoping he has at least that many more games left to play — and potentially add to his record total — this postseason. And while the goal, obviously, remains to win another World Series, enjoying an historic moment along the way is certainly special.
“It’s a whole lot of history and a great organization like the Dodgers,” Muncy said. “It’s huge.”
