This story was excerpted from Juan Toribio’s Dodgers Beat publication, written this week by Sarah Wexler. To learn the total publication, click on right here. And subscribe to get it repeatedly in your inbox.
LOS ANGELES — It’s exhausting to think about how otherwise Justin Turner’s profession would have turned out if the Dodgers hadn’t taken a flier on him again in 2014.
Then a 29-year-old profession .260 hitter with a .684 OPS in components of 5 seasons with the Orioles and Mets, Turner discovered a lifeline when then-general supervisor Ned Colletti reached out about doubtlessly signing the infielder after the Mets non-tendered him.
Solely there was one other impediment in Turner’s approach.
“Dr. [Neal] ElAttrache, who’s a very good pal of mine, and I respect the hell out of him, and love him to demise — however he truly failed my bodily after I came to visit [to the Dodgers],” Turner, now with Seattle, stated earlier than his staff’s collection opener in opposition to L.A. on Monday. “So my assured deal changed into a non-roster invitee, and I needed to make the staff. … I nonetheless love Neal. And yeah, I remind him day by day about it.”
When the Mariners traveled to Dodger Stadium this week, it was Turner’s first time again since his closing season with the Dodgers in 2022. Being there introduced on a flood of recollections, all the way in which again to that very first Spring Coaching.
“I stroll in and look across the clubhouse, and it is Juan Uribe, it is Hanley Ramirez, it is Adrián González, Matt Kemp, Carl Crawford, Andre Ethier, Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Kenley Jansen,” stated Turner. “The record simply went on and on and on, and it was form of a ‘pinch me’ second. Like, ‘Do I belong on this room with all these folks?’”
Turner doubtlessly proved he belonged throughout his nine-year tenure in Los Angeles. He reworked himself from a participant on the bubble right into a lineup stalwart, batting .296 with an .865 OPS and 156 homers. A two-time All-Star and the 2017 Nationwide League Championship Collection co-MVP with Chris Taylor, Turner established himself as a clubhouse chief and a perennial fan favourite.
“This place was — is — very particular to me,” stated Turner.
Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts had nothing however reward for Turner, describing him as “in all probability the neatest participant I’ve ever had.” He additionally expressed appreciation for Turner (together with González) having his again and serving to him earn different gamers’ belief when he was a rookie skipper in 2016.
“On my emotional facet, I want he was a Dodger perpetually,” stated Roberts. “That is simply not the way in which that sports activities work. However he’s at all times a Dodger to me, and we’re gonna be mates perpetually.”
Dodgers followers haven’t forgotten what Turner meant to the staff or his group, both — and so they proved that every one collection lengthy. Turner, who collected two hits in three video games, was honored with a pregame ceremony on Monday, then obtained loud ovations every time he got here as much as bat over the following couple of nights.
“I believe Tommy [Lasorda] stated it greatest: Dodger blue is operating by way of the veins of each single fan within the metropolis,” stated Turner. “I am unable to thank them sufficient for the help they gave me, not solely on the sphere, however by way of [the Justin Turner Foundation] and every thing we had been capable of accomplish and all of the folks we’re nonetheless capable of have an effect on due to the help we acquired from the folks of this wonderful metropolis. They’re going to at all times have a particular place in my coronary heart.”
Lots has modified for Turner within the decade since he first joined the Dodgers’ group. He’s a father now, as his spouse, Kourtney, gave beginning to the couple’s first little one, Bo, in July (each of whom joined him at Dodger Stadium this week). He’s additionally one in every of MLB’s oldest energetic gamers at 39 years outdated — which means it won’t be lengthy earlier than it’s time for him to consider the following chapter.
“Justin can do no matter he desires, for my part,” stated Roberts. “I believe he is an on-field man. I believe he could possibly be within the sales space. I believe he has an eye fixed for expertise, I believe he could possibly be within the entrance workplace.”
Regardless of the position may be, it’s tempting to surprise if a reunion between Turner and the Dodgers could possibly be within the playing cards. And whereas Turner emphasised that such a call must be a “two-way road,” he appeared fairly open to the thought.
“I am from Southern California,” stated Turner. “I believe it is a fantastic place to be. It is a fantastic place to play. Clearly, if that chance introduced itself, it could be one thing that I actually, actually took into consideration.”
