Max Muncy, who was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 2012 and made his major league debut in 2015, faced a crossroads early in his career that nearly ended his time in professional baseball. By January 2017, after struggling to maintain consistent performance at the major league level, Muncy was released by the Athletics and came close to retiring before finding a fresh start with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In late April 2017, Muncy signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers, marking the beginning of a comeback that reignited his career. Speaking on Tuesday about that challenging period, Muncy revealed how the experience forced him to confront mental hurdles and rediscover his love for the game.
“I was going through a lot of stuff mentally. You know, I had actually retired. So, to come back out of a short retirement stint, I realized I wasn’t quite done playing baseball,” Muncy said.
He added,
“The whole year, for me, was just about re-finding my love for the game, and just trying to understand how special it is to be out there, regardless of how you’re playing. That’s something I still keep with me to this day. You know, it was a long year, and you have to learn to love being out there; that’s definitely one of the things I learned.”
Max Muncy On Adjusting to the Dodgers Without Clayton Kershaw
In a recent interview, Max Muncy discussed the emotional adjustment following the retirement of Dodgers’ legendary ace Clayton Kershaw, who ended his 18-year tenure with the team after the 2025 season. Muncy, who recently secured a one-year, $7 million contract extension with a club option for 2028, described the Dodgers clubhouse as feeling “strange” without Kershaw’s familiar presence.
Muncy reflected on Kershaw’s long-standing influence, especially on the atmosphere during spring training.
“You mentioned the locker, it’s just funny. Even the springs where he (Kershaw) hadn’t necessarily signed with us, when spring started, it was always empty, because we knew he would come back. It is weird seeing that spot filled now. It will be the same way at Dodger Stadium, when you see that locker, when you walk in, on the right side, and someone’s going to be in it. It’s been strange without him,” Muncy said.
He went on to emphasize the responsibility the current players feel to carry on Kershaw’s legacy and set a similar example for younger team members moving forward.
“The example that he set, it’s up to us now, to continue to set that example for the younger guys, and just teach them what it really means to be a Dodger. I know Kersh is going to say it started long before him, but in my eyes, he’s the guy that set the example in this clubhouse. To me, it’s almost like you just don’t want to let that guy down. So, you want to keep that legacy of his going. We’re going to show up every single day and work our tails off, as hard as we possibly can, we’re going to try and get better every single day,” he added.
Clayton Kershaw’s Storied Career With the Dodgers
Clayton Kershaw debuted in the major leagues in 2008 and devoted his entire 18-year career to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Over this period, he earned 11 All-Star selections, an NL MVP award, three National League Cy Young Awards, and a Gold Glove. Kershaw was also an integral part of three World Series championship teams, solidifying his status as one of baseball’s greats and a cornerstone of the Dodgers franchise.
His retirement left a significant void in the team, both on the field and within the clubhouse culture, a gap that players like Max Muncy are committed to filling by upholding the standards set during Kershaw’s era.
Max Muncy talks about the time he retired from baseball before ever playing in a game with the Dodgers pic.twitter.com/n3EjSUze51
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) February 24, 2026
Max Muncy says it's "weird" to see Clayton Kershaw's locker filled by someone else.
Says that Kershaw was the one who set the example in the clubhouse and it's now up to the veterans to keep it going. pic.twitter.com/sJ7LQkljQk
— Dodgers Territory (@LADTerritory) February 20, 2026
