Max Muncy has never been one to chase individual accolades. But as he enters his mid-30s, the Dodgers’ third baseman has allowed himself one exception — and it has nothing to do with personal glory.
Muncy, a key piece of Los Angeles’ dominant start to the 2026 season, recently opened up about his desire to make this year’s National League All-Star roster. The reason, he told SportsNet LA, is simple: he wants his children to be part of the experience.
“I never come into the season with personal goals,” Muncy said. “Now that I’ve gotten a little bit older, one personal goal I did have was to make the All-Star team to be able to experience that with my kids. I would love to have them on the field with me.”
That kind of sentiment might sound soft coming from a hard-nosed infielder who plays for a franchise with World Series-or-bust expectations. But Muncy’s production this season makes his candidacy anything but sentimental.
Numbers That Back Up the Buzz
Through mid-June, Muncy is slashing .262/.360/.505 with 16 home runs and 28 RBIs. While the RBI total may seem modest for that many dingers, his on-base percentage and slugging numbers tell a fuller story: he remains one of the most feared bats in the Dodgers’ lineup.
His recent performance against the Chicago White Sox only strengthened his case. On Saturday at Rate Field, Muncy went 3-for-3 with two home runs and four RBIs in a 7-1 Dodgers win. Shohei Ohtani also went deep for L.A., launching his 14th homer of the season.
Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning before Tristan Peters broke it up with a solo homer. Still, Los Angeles improved to 45-26, building an 8.5-game lead over the San Diego Padres in the NL West.
Why This Matters Beyond the Stats
The All-Star Game takes place July 14 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. For Muncy, a two-time World Series champion, it would be his first Midsummer Classic selection if he makes the roster. That alone would be a milestone in a career that has seen him reinvent himself after early struggles with the Oakland Athletics.
But the family angle adds a layer of humanity to what can often feel like a cold, stat-driven process. Muncy isn’t angling for a payday or a legacy boost. He wants his kids to run the grass, wave from the dugout, and remember the moment he shared it with them.
Whether the votes and the roster math work in his favor remains to be seen. But for a player who says he doesn’t typically set personal benchmarks, publicly naming this one suggests it matters more than most.
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