Posted on 06/05/2026 2:41:15 PM PDT by BenLurkin
PHOENIX –– Max Muncy and Ildemaro Vargas both ran full speed to first base in the fifth inning of Thursday’s game between the Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks.
In a brutal moment that forced both players to exit early –– and left Muncy with shortness of breath and a cut on his nose –– neither got out of the way in time to avoid a frightening head-on collision.
“It was pretty violent,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
The good news: Neither Muncy nor Vargas seemed to have sustained serious injuries on the play. Muncy passed concussion protocol, saying afterward that he was “gonna be all right” despite getting “a little banged up.” Vargas also told reporters that all the exams and tests he had done afterward were negative, despite feeling like he “ran into a truck.”
“I definitely did not mean to run into him,” Muncy said. “It just happened, and hopefully he’s doing all right.”
With two outs in the fifth, Muncy had hit a ground ball up the line that Vargas, playing first for Arizona, fielded directly behind the bag.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
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Doesn’t this happen on every play in football?
How unusual!
They need to have two bag first bases like they have in softball. White for the first baseman and orange for the batter when there is a play at first. It cuts down on collisions.
This is the 34 year old Dodgers Max Muncy (born Aug 25 1990 in Midland, TX). He was drafted by the A’s in 2012 and made his mlb debut with the A’s in 2017. The A’s released him in 2017 and he became a minor league free agent. The Dodgers picked him up and then he discovered how to hit.
There is also another Max Muncy on the A’s (born Aug 25 2002 in Camarillo, CA). He was drafted by the A’s in the first round of the 2021 draft and made his mlb debut in 2025. He has been on the IL since April after getting hit by a pitch. He is currently on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas as he recovers from a left fifth metacarpal fracture.
The birthday for both Max Muncy’s is Aug 25.
They are not related.
Safe or out?
That is a funny coincidence, which reminds me of another one. Stan Musial and Ken Griffey Jr. were both born on November 21st. In Donora, Pennsylvania. This means that Ken Griffy Jr is the second greatest outfielder ever born on November 21st in Donora, PA.
Muncy was running on the inside of the baseline. He initiated the collision. There was plenty of room for both players. Muncy took a cheap shot.
I would have to give Stan the nod as well (even though I was living up in Seattle when it was still cool and watched the Kid in his hayday), as Stan had a much higher BA (.331 to .284), OBP (.434 to .353), and SLG (.587 to .420). It's close though, as Griffey had 155 more HRs and 174 more RBIs in less at bats. He had one of the sweetest power strokes I've ever seen, effortless.
Routine in the NHL
Oh, by the way, Seattle guy. You had Ken Griffey Jr, Randy Johnson, Alex Rodriguez and Edgar Martinez - with NO World Series appearances. What the heck?
You’re right about MVP, damn AI; he hit .304 with 56 home runs and 147 RBI during 157 games in ‘97. He also is tied for the record of home runs in consecutive games with eight.
We also went against Hershiser, Thome, and the Indian machine that season, and a tough AL with the 90’s Yanks (Mattingly is one of the guys tied with that HR consec games record). Did not have the closer (Ayala), and when we got Charlton, he was still great, but not prime, and were really light in middle relief. It was still a great time to be watching ball in the Kingdome. Watched McGuire crush one over the left field upper deck off The Unit, and it was still rising.
Yeah, but, those guys are wearing helmets, pads, and mouth guards!
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