Los Angeles, CA – May 29, 2025 — In an extraordinary act of loyalty and compassion, Los Angeles Dodgers veteran slugger Max Muncy has voluntarily taken a 40% pay cut for the upcoming season — not to bring in a new star or restructure his deal for personal gain, but to save the job of a longtime Dodgers clubhouse attendant whose story quietly touched his heart.

In an emotional press conference held just before batting practice at Chavez Ravine, Muncy confirmed the rumor that had begun circulating earlier in the week: he asked the Dodgers’ front office to deduct nearly $6 million from his 2025 salary in order to retain 65-year-old Roy “Pops” Hernandez, a Dodgers clubhouse mainstay who was facing forced retirement due to cost-cutting efforts.

“You can’t put a price on someone who’s held the soul of this team together for three decades,” Muncy said, his voice cracking. “This isn’t charity — it’s justice.”

🧢 Meet “Pops” — The Dodgers’ Quiet Backbone

Roy Hernandez, affectionately known as “Pops,” has worked with the Dodgers since 1992. He started by folding laundry and cleaning cleats. Over the years, he became a trusted father figure to countless players — from the days of Mike Piazza to the era of Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts.

He’s known for always having a towel in one hand, a joke in the other, and the uncanny ability to calm down a slumping batter with just a few words.

“If the walls in that clubhouse could talk,” said former Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, “they’d sound like Pops.”

Earlier this month, the Dodgers quietly notified Hernandez that his position would be phased out at the end of June. The front office cited internal restructuring and budget optimization — part of a broader shift to more “streamlined” staffing across the league.

⚾ A Teammate’s Response: Muncy Steps Up

When Max Muncy caught wind of Pops’ situation, he was furious — but instead of going public or fighting the front office, he went straight to the solution.

He offered to restructure his contract, reducing his base salary by 40% and asking that the saved funds go toward retaining Hernandez and preserving the roles of several other long-serving support staff members who were also at risk.

“This team isn’t just about players and stats. It’s about people,” Muncy told reporters. “And if we let people like Pops go, we lose a piece of who we are.”

Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman confirmed the move, calling it “a selfless gesture of leadership and love.” The front office ultimately agreed to honor Muncy’s request, reinstating Hernandez and reversing several pending support staff layoffs.

💬 Reactions From Around the League

The story has gone viral across social media and sports networks. Fans began posting tributes using the hashtag #KeepPops, while tributes poured in from current and former Dodgers alike.

“Max just proved again why he’s the heart of this team,” said teammate Freddie Freeman. “On and off the field.”

Even players from rival teams chimed in. Giants outfielder Michael Conforto tweeted:

“Respect where it’s due. Muncy didn’t just talk family — he showed it.”

😭 Pops’ Reaction: “He Saved Me”

Hernandez, usually camera-shy, made a rare public appearance in the dugout before Tuesday night’s game. Flanked by Muncy and several Dodgers veterans, he wiped away tears as he addressed the media.

“I’ve worked in baseball my whole life. I never expected a moment like this,” he said. “Max didn’t just save my job. He saved my dignity. He saved me.”

He also shared a small secret: during a rough stretch in Muncy’s 2018 breakout season, Pops left a note in his locker every day for two weeks. “Just reminders that he belonged. I guess it stuck,” Hernandez chuckled.

🧡 A Legacy Beyond the Diamond

For Max Muncy, the moment is about more than baseball. It’s about honoring those who give their lives to the game behind the scenes — the ones who don’t get cheers, highlights, or multimillion-dollar deals.

“We talk a lot about ‘clubhouse culture,’” he said. “But Pops is that culture. You don’t cut the roots and expect the tree to stand tall.”

🥹 Final Word: A Gesture Fans Will Never Forget

In giving up millions, Max Muncy reminded Dodgers fans — and the world — what it means to lead with heart. Baseball is a game of numbers, yes, but sometimes, the most powerful stats aren’t on the scoreboard.

They’re in moments like these: where one man quietly saves another, not for applause, but because it’s the right thing to do.

And in doing so, Max Muncy may have hit the most important home run of his career.