If Max Muncy sought guidance from the baseball gods, they certainly delivered a strong message against the torpedo bat.
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ third baseman had been struggling at the plate, despite his team’s undefeated start to the season. With a batting average of .095 and no home runs to his name, Muncy was in need of a change.
During batting practice before Wednesday’s game, Muncy decided to try out the torpedo bat out of curiosity. Although it felt okay during practice, he ultimately opted to stick with his usual bat for the game.
Max Muncy tried the torpedo bat, then went back to his usual lumber with the game on the line for the Dodgers. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
(Ronald Martinez via Getty Images)
Despite a rocky start, Muncy found himself in a crucial situation in the eighth inning with a chance to tie the game. Using his traditional bat, he delivered a clutch two-run double against the Braves’ closer, leveling the score.
Reflecting on his decision to switch back to his old bat, Muncy admitted that the torpedo bat was causing him to feel slightly off-balance at the plate. In the end, he trusted in his familiar equipment when it mattered most.
Although the inning ended without further scoring, Shohei Ohtani’s walk-off homer in the following frame secured the Dodgers’ eighth consecutive win, setting a new record for defending champions in MLB.
The lesson learned from Muncy’s experience is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to a hitting slump. In the end, it’s about making solid contact with the ball, and Muncy chose comfort and familiarity over novelty when it counted.