When players start to hear whispers of doubt following them from the dugout to the plate, what do they do? Learn from the Dodgers infielder Max Muncy, who knows. He didn’t choose words to reply. Muncy got it in the most powerful way possible: a huge, moonshot home run. In the middle of a high-stakes game against the New York Yankees, he not only found his rhythm but also his voice. His 200th career home run was more than simply a milestone. It was a strong statement for chatters going behind the scenes.

The Dodger fans are happy and singing songs, but miles away, a familiar bitterness in the air can be felt. Not only was Max Muncy reaching a new peak, but… It was the player the Oakland A’s had released in 2017, solidifying his place in the grand theatre of baseball. That too as a power hitter under one of the best production houses of the MLB.

And right after the game, when the excitement was still pumping and the weight of the situation was settling in, Max Muncy gave an honest account that was a blessing for Dodgers fans but a gut punch for A’s fans. Ken asked, “End of spring training 2017, you got released by the A’s, and now you’re 8th on the Dodgers all-time HR list. If I had told you all this was going to happen back then, what would you say?”

Muncy’s answer was very honest. “I thought you would be crazy.” He didn’t stop there and continued, “Simply a blessing. I am honored to be able to hit as many Home runs in a Dodger uniform. Hopefully, I have got a lot more in me. Hopefully, we have got more ways like today in us.” Was he happy? Very much! He hit two huge three-run home runs against the Yankees, driving in seven runs and leading the Dodgers to an easy 18–2 win. Not only did he become the 8th player to have 200+ homers for the Dodgers, but he also silenced all the whispers.

Just a couple of days back, there were speculations about his future with the Dodgers. There were thoughts about a trade that said the team would be thinking about letting the veteran infielder go. Why so? A little slump in performance. He had a batting average of .188 and no home runs in his first 100 plate appearances as of early May. This was the longest time in his career without a home run. But he has now turned things around, boosting his batting average to over .200 and now hitting home runs.

However, the GM showed faith in his ability and said, “Munce has actually been pretty good for the last month or so… Our expectation is those guys are going to be a staple of the lineup for the rest of this season.” His performance against the Yankees proves that the faith that was seen in him is right.

For the Boys in Blue, everything is going smoothly. But for Max Muncy, are the trade talks really off the table? Those who follow GM know he says something and does the opposite. So, is this the case with Muncy, too? An answer can only be answered with time.

But as of now, the management must be happy because not only Muncy, but the whole roster is playing well.

Dodgers dismantle Yankees 18–2: A complete team triumph

The Dodgers’ 18–2 beating of the Yankees on May 31, 2025, was more than just the Max Muncy show. It was an exhibition of ability and depth that showed they can win from any angle. You can’t have this type of dominant performance with just one star, can you? It shows how much skill is in the Dodgers’ dugout.

The bottom of the lineup was anything but a slump. Tommy Edman and Hyeseong Kim, who batted eighth and ninth, respectively, became an unexpected powerhouse. Each player had four hits, which kept the Yankees’ defense on its toes and set the table for the big bats. When your bottom players are hitting like this, who needs a break in the batting order?

Landon Knack had a great day on the mound, stopping the Yankees’ strong attack by only giving up one run in six solid innings. He stepped up in a big manner and gave the Dodgers the steady hand they needed. A complete team performance!

The Dodgers’ resounding triumph showed how well they work together as a team. Both their experienced veterans and their intriguing up-and-coming stars made big contributions. Not only did they win, but they also made a statement that was evident to the rest of the league.