Former Baylor star helps lead Dodgers back to World Series

October 23, 2018 // Posted In Alumni, Athletics

Max Muncy

The Los Angeles Dodgers are into the World Series for the second straight year — and it’s safe to say they wouldn’t be here without a Baylor Bear’s contribution.

After starting the season in the minor leagues, former Baylor standout Max Muncy was called up to the big leagues in early April as the Dodgers were struggling amidst multiple injuries. To the surprise of many, Muncy immediately became the team’s hottest hitter — and he never really cooled off.

On a roster that includes nine former all-stars among its position players, it was Muncy who led the Dodgers in RBI, slugging percentage and OPS. That he did it while playing four different positions (1B, 2B, 3B and LF) gave Los Angeles added flexibility as they worked around injuries, and by year’s end, Muncy’s contributions had helped the Dodgers overcome a nine-game deficit to win the National League West. From there, they powered past the Rockies, Braves and Brewers to reach the World Series, where they’ll face the Red Sox beginning tonight.

At Baylor, Muncy was a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American in 2010, led the Bears in most major offensive categories in 2011, and was a 5th-round pick by the Oakland A’s in 2012. He made his major league debut with the A’s in 2015, appearing in 96 games over two seasons before joining the Dodgers system in 2017. This season, he hit .263 with 35 home runs and 79 RBI — setting new records for most home runs and RBI in an MLB season by a Baylor alumnus.

Muncy’s first World Series at bat will make 2018 the 11th year in which a Baylor Bear has appeared in the World Series, as he joins Dave Danforth (1911, 1917, 1919), Mule Watson (1923, 1924), Ted Uhlaender (1965, 1972), Lee Tunnell (1987) and David Murphy (2010, 2011) in an exclusive club.

Sic ’em, Max!

[9/27/18 update: Muncy didn’t just lead the Dodgers to the World Series — he keyed their only victory in the series! Approximately 2:30 a.m. Saturday Waco time, Muncy’s 18th-inning home run gave Los Angeles the win in game three, ending the longest contest in World Series history!]