Max Muncy has been a huge part of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ success over the last few years, but is currently in the midst of a trying season.
Those struggles came to a head last month when Muncy was walking onto the team bus after the Dodgers were swept by the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
In a video that went viral on social media, one fan can be heard shouting expletives at Muncy as the two-time All-Star stared him down through the window.
The 34-year-old discussed the incident on “Foul Territory” and said he was most bothered by the unruly fan using profanity in front of children:
“I think everyone who’s ever been in that situation wants to say something. For me, my biggest thing was the language that the guy was using. The amount of kids that are out there, I just wanted to talk to the guy and be like, ‘Hey, hate me all you want. Say whatever you want to say. But let’s keep it a little bit clean here.’
“There’s all these kids that are trying to look up to all these players, and they’re hearing that kind of language being used, it sucks obviously. Say what you want to say, but let’s keep it a little bit clean. That was my biggest thing.
“I’m looking at all these kids have this look on their face like, ‘Oh, my gosh.’ They almost looked a little scared and terrified. That was the biggest thing for me. As players and athletes, we’re trying to set examples for little kids. They shouldn’t have to be subjected to that even though we are. It’s just a sad reality of human nature out there.”
MLB players are used to being heckled, but Muncy feels that particular fan crossed the line with all of the swearing he did outside Wrigley Field. To the veteran third baseman’s credit, he did not take the bait and simply brushed off the words.
Muncy endured a brutal April but ended the month by hitting his first home run of the season and has continued to swing the bat much better of late.
“It was huge for me,” Muncy said at the time. “Almost a little emotional. This clubhouse is very tight, it’s very close. Everyone cares about each other in here and we all just want to win.
“For us to win, everyone needs to be clicking. It’s something this whole clubhouse buys into. Just to get that kind of greeting, it felt amazing.”
Dave Roberts wants more consistency from Max Muncy
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has never doubted Muncy’s effort and preparation, but does want to see a more consistent swing at the plate going forward.
“He’s definitely a wear your-emotions-on-his-sleeve guy. Which can be good, which can be detrimental. I like the edge. I talked to him today about edge, which is good, and not having any type of complacency,” Roberts recently said.
“He seems to always find himself in a hole at some point in time during the season, but he always seems to dig his way out and get to the other side, which I think right now we’re on the other side of it. I think there’s some confidence in knowing you can get out of it.”
“I just want him to be a little bit more consistent with his swing. I think his mindset has been fantastic this year, I think the intent on defense has been really good. So hopefully he can mechanically stay more sound and consistent.”
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