“That is the way this game is – you win, you lose, you celebrate, and you suffer.”
– Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully
* * * *
It is no secret this off-season has been brutal for Dodger fans. In recent years, they have been spoiled with big moves and even bigger news. Instead, this winter they have had to be patient while watching core pieces of the team they love leave for other clubs and trust in the strategy of the Front Office.
For many, baseball is life. We have celebrated on and off the field with our Boys in Blue, and suffered with them too. Sunday night brought some devastating news to the Los Angeles faithful.
Two-time All-Star and 2020 World Series champion third baseman Justin Turner was reportedly in a deal with the Boston Red Sox for two years. Jeff Passan of ESPN broke the initial news and the details soon followed on Twitter. Most of the fanbase was indeed suffering.
Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic and field reporter for MLB on FOX, shared more information via Twitter:
In the wake of JT leaving, there will be some big shoes to fill, especially as some of the familiar faces from the 2022 roster have already departed. Many would agree that he was not only one of the leaders in the clubhouse but also the heart and soul of the team.
Loyal fans knew the possibility existed that Turner had played his last game in blue as the designated hitter in Game Four of the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres on October 15, 2022. That does nothing to soften the blow or mean they accepted it when the news was released. Countless people still held hope that somehow JT would return to the clubhouse, but that was not to be.
Social media was instantly flooded with posts by fans in disbelief commiserating in their shared sadness. The winner of the 2022 Roberto Clemente Award has been a beloved member of the team for nine years as well as a pillar in the community. To say he will be missed would be an understatement.
Turner is a native of Southern California, born and raised in Lakewood. His batting average during his Los Angeles career was .299 overall, boasting 568 runs from 1,088 hits and 156 home runs.
Those who followed Turner’s career will have memories of his many spectacular plays at third base while holding down the hot corner. In his nine years wearing Dodger blue, he played in 1,075 games with 3,683 at-bats. Many of those plate appearances were at packed Dodger Stadium games to the loud applause of the fans as he took his spot in the batter’s box to whatever his current walk-up song was playing.
Turner will be joining former Dodger teammate outfielders Kiké Hernández and Alex Verdugo, as well as recently signed closer Kenley Jansen on the east coast.
We are all a little bluer than the signature shade of Dodger blue. We hate to see Turner leave but wish him the best.
Thanks for all of the memories, Justin!