Max Muncy reveals first thing he noticed about Clayton Kershaw upon joining Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy believes Clayton Kershaw set the cultural standard inside the clubhouse before speeches or accolades mattered. Kershaw, who debuted for the Dodgers in 2008, retired after the 2025 World Series win.

With Kershaw's retirement, Muncy has become the longest-tenured player on the Dodgers. The 35-year-old third baseman joined the Dodgers in 2017 on a minor league contract after the Athletics released him. He debuted for the Dodgers in 2018.

While talking about the Dodgers clubhouse on episode 88 of "Talk Dodgers to Me" on Friday, Muncy spoke highly of Kershaw.

"I know this started before him, but for me that's always started with Kersh (Clayton Kershaw)," Muncy said (Timestamp: 36:38). "From the day that I had walked into the clubhouse years ago...one of the first things I noticed was there was nobody (that) had more fun than him, but there was also nobody that worked as hard as he did."

"When he showed up to the field, it was like three, four hours of just non-stop, how am I getting better? What am I doing in the weight room? What am I doing out on the field? How do I work on my mechanics?...Like, what do I need to do to be better? I'm going to work as hard as possible. I'm not going to stop," he added.

Muncy and Kershaw were teammates for eight seasons, from 2018 to 2025. In that span, they won three World Series. The third baseman earned two All-Star selections in that span.

Max Muncy connects Clayton Kershaw's influence with other stars

In the same conversation with Melissa Myer and Jaclyn Ruiz on "Talk Dodgers to Me," Max Muncy hailed Clayton Kershaw as the best teammate he ever played with. Muncy acknowledged that Kershaw focused on his individual improvement.

However, once Kershaw did his work, he shifted seamlessly to become an incredible teammate and clubhouse leader. Muncy claims his habit resonated with the stars that later joined the Dodgers.

"Just throughout my career here with the Dodgers, the guys we brought in...Freddie (Freeman) and Mookie (Betts) and, and all those guys, they immediately were doing the same thing, picking up on the same thing. It's how can I get better? How can I, you know, what do I need to do to be better?" Max Muncy said (Timestamp: 37:48).

Mookie Betts joined the Dodgers in 2020, arriving from the Red Sox via trade. Meanwhile, Freeman signed with the team in 2022 during his free agency.