Muncy tops NL vote for All-Star; fatherhood makes it different

Muncy leads – Max Muncy’s All-Star talk is less about the spotlight and more about bringing his children into it. As the first 2026 MLB All-Star Ballot update comes out, the Dodgers third baseman is leading NL third basemen with 941,218 votes—far ahead of Alec Bohm—raising

When Max Muncy pictures the kind of summer weekend that ends with a red-carpet walk onto the biggest stage in baseball, the ceremony doesn’t come first. The scene he keeps returning to is smaller and louder at the same time: his family of five, right there with him, taking it all in.

He’s already been to the National League All-Star team twice—2019 and 2021—but a third selection would carry something he didn’t get to have before. For Muncy, it would be his first All-Star Game as a father.

His first two All-Star appearances came before his kids arrived. He and his wife, Kellie, welcomed their first child, Sophie, after his 2019 and 2021 selections. Their son, Wyatt, was born in 2023, and their youngest daughter, Macie, was born this past January.

“I’ve never cared about personal goals, but both my All-Star Games came before my kids,” Muncy said. “They’re old enough to understand how special it is. Coming into this year. I was kind of just like. ‘Man. I’d really like to experience at least one All-Star Game with my kids.’ For them to go down on the field. wear the uniform. kind of just see everything that goes on with it and just see how special it is.”.

Now the numbers are making the dream feel closer than it has in past years. When the first update to the 2026 MLB All-Star Ballot was revealed on Monday, Muncy led NL third basemen by a wide margin. He collected 941,218 votes, well ahead of the Phillies’ Alec Bohm, who had 386,425.

That position puts Muncy in a strong spot to advance to Phase 2 of fan voting. And if he is ultimately elected to the NL’s starting lineup, he would become the first Dodgers third baseman to start the All-Star Game since Ron Cey in 1977.

“To see his name in the lights with all those other guys,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, “I think that’s a really personal, fulfilling thing for him.”

What makes it feel even more personal is that this is his family’s world now. Sophie will turn 5 next month, Wyatt is 3, and Macie is still very much the youngest member of the group. They’ve basically grown up at Dodger Stadium—whether it’s hanging out with other Dodgers kids in the family room or being on the field.

For Muncy, the All-Star Game isn’t just another checkmark on a resume. It’s a new kind of exposure for them, a chance to see how All-Star Week works from the inside.

Lately, he’s felt his oldest children starting to realize what all of it means. They may not fully grasp the scale of what it takes to be back-to-back champions. but they do understand that most people don’t get to travel around the country from ballpark to ballpark—or let alone experience the events that make All-Star Week different.

He’s also thinking about specifics, like the Home Run Derby. Muncy would love for his kids to watch it from the field. Because he’s been a Dodger, his children have met big names in baseball already. But during those two days at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. he wants them surrounded by stars from all over the game.

The family has been the steady influence in Muncy’s career decisions for years. shaping what he chooses and how long he chooses it. Since becoming a father. he has leaned into stability: nine years after signing with the Dodgers as a Minor League free agent. he has remained the team’s longest-tenured player. He’s signed team-friendly extensions rather than testing free agency. because he felt it was the right move for his family.

“They’re pretty much all I think about now,” Muncy said. “The Dodgers are all my kids know. Dodger blue. Dodger Stadium. the family room up there. the teachers that work in the family room. the drive into Dodger Stadium. that’s all they’ve ever known. … Anytime they see the color blue, they say it’s Dodger blue.”.

With the first ballot update putting him out front among NL third basemen—Phase 2 within reach and a starting lineup possible—Muncy’s children may soon see what he’s been waiting to show them: their dad wearing Dodger blue as an NL All-Star, less than a month from now.

Max Muncy Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star Game National League All-Star Ballot 2026 MLB All-Star NL third basemen fan voting Dave Roberts Ron Cey Alec Bohm fatherhood Sophie Muncy Wyatt Muncy Macie Muncy Citizens Bank Park