DISCLAIMER: It was a late Friday night in Indiana (1 AM-ish), and when Edwin Diaz came in with a 7-4 lead, I almost went to bed, but something told me to stay up. I’m glad I did. Here’s the tale…
Ladies and gentlemen, gather ‘round — because on Friday night at the Ravine, Max Muncy did not simply have a baseball game… he hosted a fireworks show with a side of chaos and a sprinkle of “are you kidding me”?
On a perfectly normal Friday night at Dodger Stadium, Muncy woke up and chose absolute violence… against baseballs.
- First at-bat? Boom. Ball leaves the premises like it forgot to pay rent.
- Second at-bat? Boom again. Opposite field this time, just to show off like a guy flipping pancakes one-handed.
- Third act? Oh, just a walk-off homer in the ninth inning, because subtlety is for other people.
Final score: Dodgers 8, Rangers 7, and several baseballs are currently filing missing persons reports.
Climbing the Dodger Mountain
Muncy is now basically playing home run Frogger, hopping past legends like Steve Garvey on the all-time list.
He’s sitting at 213 homers, which puts him:
- Ahead of Garvey (sorry, Steve — still handsome though)
- Chasing names like Ron Cey and Eric Karros
- Still looking up at the Dodgers’ Mount Rushmore guys like Duke Snider and Gil Hodges
At this rate, Muncy might need a ladder… or a jetpack.
Historic? Yeah, Just Casually
According to the stat wizards (who absolutely love nights like this), Max Muncy:
- Became only the second Dodger ever to hit 3 homers, including a walk-off, joining Don Demeter from 1959
- Pulled off a stat line so ridiculous it reads like a video game cheat code:
- 3 HR
- 4 hits
- 5+ runs
- Walk-off
Somewhere, a spreadsheet burst into flames trying to process it.
Muncy’s Reaction (Spoiler: Very Chill)
While the rest of us are screaming into nachos, Muncy basically shrugged and said:
“Yeah, hitting one homer is cool. Three? Also cool.”
I say, “Sir… you just turned a baseball game into a Marvel movie.”‘
Final Thought
Max Muncy isn’t just climbing the Dodgers home run list…
He’s kicking the door open, grabbing a bat, and rearranging the furniture.
And if he gets hot for 10 days? Opposing pitchers might want to consider a nice, relaxing vacation in the Caribbean.
Dodgers’ All-Time Home Run Leaders
- Duke Snider – 389
- Gil Hodges – 361
- Eric Karros – 270
- Roy Campanella – 242
- Ron Cey – 228
- Max Muncy – 213
Max will likely play another year after this, barring injury. I can see him possibly sitting at #3 when he retires as a Dodger Legend! If you disagree and don’t like that, get it out of the ocean!
Is Edwin Diaz Ok?
I went back yesterday after the Friday night game and looked at Edwin Diaz’s pitches, and his fastball velocity was noticeably down. It averaged a tick below 95 MPH and never hit 97. According to Baseball Savant, Diaz’s fastball velocity is here:
2021 – 98.8 MPH
2022 – 99.1 MPH
2023 – Injured
2024 – 97.5 MPH
2025 – 97.2 MPH
2026 – 95.8 MPH
… and his average Friday night was below 95 MPH. I detect a trend. Those are just the facts. I do not want to jinx him and speculate, but I hope that Tanner Scott is healthy and that Evan Phillips is progressing nicely. To me, this does not look good. His arm (elbow) is coming unraveled!
Down on the Farm
OKC – The Comets pulled to .500 (7-7) by beating Round Rock 10-9. Ward and Gauthier each had 3 hits (Ward hit his 3rd HR) while Fitzgerald and Suwinski each had 2 hits. River Ryan allowed 4 hits in 3 IP and 2 runs while striking out 4 and walking 1. He looks like a guy recovering (nicely) from surgery.
Tulsa – Tulsa moved to 6-2 with a 5-3 win over Springfield. DePaula had a double, and Hope hit a 3-run HR. Wyatt Crowell went 5 shutout innings, allowing 3 hits while walking 2 and striking out 7.
Great Lakes – The Loons move to 6-2 as well with a 9-4 win over the Whitecaps. Wagner (watch this guy) had 3 hits, including his 3rd HR, and Davalan had 2. Root was not impressive, but Figueredo was.
Ontario – The Tower buzzers also won 2-0, moving their record to 5-3. Easton Shelton was 2-3 with an HR and drove in both runs. It was a good day as the Dodgers won at every level.
London Bound and Other Stuff
My wife enjoyed London so much, when she and her daughter and granddaughters were there last week, that she booked a family vacation there from July 27 to August 3… for 11 of us. Yikes! When I asked what it cost, she said, “You don’t want to know.” Life is never dull with my wife… She now has “The Bar on Baldwin” – that’s the street, and Lola’s Table is set to open in June. Just when you think you might have a quiet life – BANG!
I am entering the home stretch on my book. The editing should be done by the end of July, and then there will be some revisions. So, it will be published sometime after that. I’ll keep you posted. Friday, we applied for the ISBN number, and my author name is the same as my real name: Mark Stephen Timmons. This is all new territory for me. Also, since I don’t have enough to do, US Water Systems is opening a new company focused on cartridge filters and housings, all of which are currently made in China or Mexico. The biggest player, Pentek, does about $300 Million. We now have 100% American-made products, and by eliminating two-step distribution, we can go direct to dealers at the same price as foreign-made products. All I want is a 20% share of their market! Stay tuned.
If Max has 2 healthy years he could reach #3
WRT Diaz:
Manager Dave Roberts said the team decided to stay away from him as his velocity was down on Friday night. There’s now some concern there could be an issue with the All-Star closer who joined the Dodgers on a three-year, $69 million deal this offseason.
“He was down today,” Roberts said after the game. “The velocity was down, so we’ll see how he feels tomorrow.”
“We’ll see how he feels [Sunday],” Roberts added. “I’m not sure what we are going to do.”
Max had a night. Actually he had THE night. I think we can all remember our own THE night. They happen once. Last night he was 0 for 3 with a critical error. Duke’s record is safe.
I read this morning something to the effect that Diaz “is widely recognized for a slow starter trend but his career demonstrates a tendency to improve significantly after the first month.” As long as he is there in the second half? notta to worry.
Freeland’s OPS now down to .611. So much for .902. That didn’t take long. Kim is at .922, but that won’t continue either. If they can stay at or near league average, .710 – .730, it will be a win for them and the team. When Edman and Kiké return one or both will be disappeared.
Roki. I got the over on 5 and the under on 6.
Water filtration is a good thing of course. But if you really want to make a difference you could help design and build a capture system for the Southwest. When it rains in LA the runoff straight to the ocean often looks like the Colorado River. And speaking of that, got any ideas on how to protect and serve that valuable resource? The Southwest is heating up and appears to be running dry.
Been waiting for that book for over 20 years. Will we be mentioned in it?
Not this book… but there will be a second one.
I waited 32 years to write this book because I had to wait for the happy ending.
1. 16 years ago, my daughter and I reunited.
2. She now works at US Water Systems and spends a couple of nights a week with us.
3. At her wedding last year, her mother wasn’t invited.
4. This was the icing on the cake and she told me to write it!
5. The father-daughter dance:
I know that story. And I am happy to know you two are re-united. I thought her mother passed? Never mind. Not my business.
I do expect a copy of that book. I bet all of those who have known you since those early days (what site was that first one?) will be wanting a signed copy.
Lineup looks the same. Freeland and Kim are flipped. O/U is 8.5. I like the over in this one. I still bet pushups on it though that number has been going down over the last few years. Feels like I weigh 220 now. I don’t. Still 165, but it’s a much heavier165 than it usta was.
It was my second wife who died.
If Badger gets a copy I am hoping to get one also.
They could stop building & supporting thousands of golf courses in the desert southwest.
AI says…
Golf courses in the US desert Southwest (primarily Arizona, Nevada, and desert areas of Southern California like the Coachella Valley/Palm Springs, plus parts of New Mexico and Utah) use a substantial but variable amount of water annually—likely in the range of 300,000–500,000+ acre-feet per year (roughly 100–160+ billion gallons), though exact totals are estimates based on available regional data.
And, IMHO, they don’t pay nearly the state taxes that they should.
Very old boys club.
Won’t argue that. Golf courses are incredible polluters and a profound waste of space.
No one has ever used my name and “golf” in the same sentence.
When I had my shoulder replaced, I asked the doctor if I would be able to play golf after it healed and he said, “Yes.”
I said, “Good, because I couldn’t play it before!”
Jeff, your old site kinda, sorta seems to be up and running for what it’s worth.
I sent him an email about that. I did a test post to see if it would work. And it posted, but, things like photos and such are not downloading when you go on the site. I wasn’t able to get to the dashboard from Word Press.
No it is not being resurrected. I have no idea what is going on, but I have no control over the site any longer. I have resolved myself that the site was shutdown and I am okay with it.
I don’t think there’s another city in the world with more authentic cultural activites to do than London.
Headed there next week. Looking forward to eating tons of worldwide cuisines and hearing sexy accents.
Have a great trip, Bobby. London has always been one of my favorite cities, although I haven’t been over in quite a few years.
Hope you’ll have a chance to meet up with Watford.
We went to Watford for the day because my familynm is into Harry Potter. Oxford is a great day trip and Winston Churchill’s pub with the flowers and the Thai food is a must.
The Cotswolds are also magnificent.
And Ireland!
Paris? NYC? LA?
See if we can get another series sweep today. Degrom going for Rangers. Not sure if he is like the dominant pitcher he was with the Mets anymore. Be interesting matchup with him against Roki Sasaki. Then 3 with the Mets. Nice start to the year with an 11-3 record.
See Phil Garner passed away. Gritty, tough player who had a brief stint with the Dodgers in 1987 at the tail end of his career.
Texas has to be the favorite to win today with deGrom pitching. Rushing will probably get the start. Saw some frustration on Freeman’s face last night. He is not hitting the way he feels he should. JT signed with the Tijuana Toros. Springer to the IL with a broken toe. Phil Garner, who spent a shot time with the Dodgers, passed away at the age of 76. RIP. Luis Garcia, who spent a short time in LA last year, DFAd by the Mets. Adley Rutschman placed on 10-day Il by the Orioles who called up Maverick Handley.
Bobby and Mark, you have to hook up with Watford and send some pics. London has great Indian food. We love Gymkhana, great food and an incredible venue.
I met Watford when he came to California a few years ago. We met in Orange County at a sports bar with Bulldogs & Penguins and one other former poster whose name I have forgotten. Was a great visit with three guys who shared the same passion as I did for Dodger baseball. Met Mark a couple of times.
Was the highlight of my trip Michael.
B&P was a great guy, as was Patch (DodgerPatch).
Thanks for reminding me. I had forgot about old Patch. Haven’t seen him post anywhere in a while.
I wonder what happened to B & P? It’s just that he asked him to tone it down a notch, and he left.
My wife is a big curry fan… not me, but I am sure she is writing this trip off as a business trip for Foodies.
We know that Clayton Kershaw left a lot of money on the table with his one year contracts with the Dodgers from 2022 through 2025. At 31, Kersh signed his last extension of 3 years and $93MM. There is no doubt he would have exceeded that number had he chosen free agency instead of the extension. For the next four years (34-37 years of age) he earned $63.5MM including incentives vested. His fWAR value was $75.9MM. He wanted to remain a Dodger.
Now the longest tenured Dodger is Max Muncy, and he has been extremely loyal to the Dodgers with his contracts.
2020-2022 – 3 years $26MM through all three of his arbitration years (earned $23,870,370)
2023 – LAD exercised $13.5MM club option
2024-2025 – 2 years $24MM
2026 – LAD exercised $10MM extension
2027 – $7MM contract extension with $10MM option for 2028 with a $3MM buyout
For 6 years (2020-2025) Max earned $61,370,370. He is guaranteed another $20MM for 2026 and 2027, with another $7MM potential in 2028 if LAD exercises his 2028 club option. Max’s fWAR value for 2020-2025 was $116.3MM.
With his last contract and extension, Muncy said,
“I know I’m leaving some money on the table. But I want to be here. I want to end my career here. I know who I am as a person, and I wouldn’t be happy trying to chase money somewhere else. I’ve never been comfortable trying to do that. And I wouldn’t be comfortable now.”
Clayton and Max are Texans and last of a breed.
R.I.P. Phil Garner – He was a Dodger for a minute.
I remember him well. One of those guys who loved to get dirty playing the game. A real grinder. Played in 70 games for LA in 87, his next to last year in the league. Hit .190/2/8. His nickname was Scrap Iron. Once tossed for using a corked bat and hitting a homer off of Gaylord Perry. Also managed in the majors for three teams.
Per Plunkett:
The Dodgers plan is to start Justin Wrobleski (Mon), Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Tue), Shohei Ohtani (Wed) against Mets. Backs Ohtani up against an off day again. LAD will do that as much as possible for recovery after a two-way day
My good friend, Tony Jackson, is also a good friend of Bill Plunkett. I wish I could tell the stories that beat writers know but can’t talk about. I’ll give you a hint about one thing later. You will just have to pick up on the cue and clues.
Lineup posted. Checked the matchups against deGrom. Freeman is the only hitter with any type of success against him since he faced him a lot when he was with the Mets. Rushing starting at catcher and batting 7th. Call hitting 8th and playing left for Teo. Ohtani, Tucker, Pages, Freeman, Muncy, Freeland, Rushing, Call, Kim. Sasaki pitching. Game time, 1:10 PDT.
In honor of the Great AVF:
4:10 PM ET
Rangers (7-7)
Dodgers (11-3)
SP Jacob deGrom R
0-0 3.72 ERA
SP Roki Sasaki R
0-1 7.00 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
RF Kyle Tucker L
CF Andy Pages R
1B F. Freeman L
3B Max Muncy L
2B Alex Freeland B
C Dalton Rushing L
LF Alex Call R
CF Andy Pages R
SS Hyeseong Kim L
64° Wind 7 mph Out to CF
Is that us to your standards, AVF?
Mark. It’s great to hear your wife had a wonderful time here in London. It doesn’t surprise me though. Just spent the weekend walking round, taking in all the sites and history, interspersed with lots of liquid refreshments along the way. I love London pubs. Every day living here feels like I’m a tourist.
Hopefully you’ll have time for some food or a couple of beers during your visit. Be great to meet you. That time of year is special here.
Bobby and I have made contact, and I’m really looking forward to meeting him in a couple of weeks.
Brian, funny that you visited my hometown. I lived a mile from the Harry Potter Tour and Warmer Studiios until I moved into London.
Dodgers wise things have started well.
Not missing Mookie too much. Dare I say the offense looks pretty good without him.
Watford,
Absolutely, I am sure my wife and son would be down for a pint (or two), as well.
Do you have a cab that accommodates 11?
By the way, you should know that I have horns and a tail! Well, actually, it’s horns and a tale!
No I’ve got a Mercedes E Class so only fits 4 passengers. I’m sure there’s vehicles that can accommodate 11 passengers.
Willl look forward to it.
Buses!
Sasaki is hard to watch.
Alnna Rizzo loves the Dodgers, but she will never come back to LA.