Justin Turner returned to Dodger Stadium on Monday night for the first time since leaving the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2022, following a nine-year career that included a World Series title as a combative third baseman.
“It was one of the best things that ever happened to me in my career. I got the chance to wear that uniform that so many great players have worn over the years and play on some teams that have done historic things,” Turner said before the game. “It’s really something I’m honored to be a part of.”
Now 39 years old, he plays first base for the Seattle Mariners, who opened a three-game series against the NL West leaders.
Turner received a standing ovation before his first at-bat in the second inning. At the end of the inning, he hit a groundout to the third baseman – his old position in LA.
His wife, Kourtney, and red-headed son Bo, born on July 4, joined him behind home base for a pregame ceremony. They watched a video of his career highlights as a Dodger before the team presented Turner with a $10,000 check for his foundation and three framed photos of him in action.
To the loud entrance music of Turner’s “Turn Down for What,” he hugged Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Joe Kelly, among others.
“What’s up, LA?” Turner said as the crowd stood and applauded. “I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the most incredible nine years of my life. You have made this time so special and I can’t thank you enough.”
Turner and his wife, whom former Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershiser married in 2017, were well-known civic activists in Los Angeles and used their foundation to support homeless veterans, sick children and youth baseball organizations.
From the dugout, Turner would shake the game’s military hero’s hand between innings and present him with a signed baseball.
During his time in LA, Dodgers fans wore fake red beards in honor of Turner.
“I don’t think there’s been a bigger fan favorite in my nine years here,” Roberts said. “The fans just really identified with him.”
After the 2013 season, Turner was unsubscribed from the New York Mets and became a free agent. Shortly before spring training the following year, he found a new home in Los Angeles.
He initially failed the Dodgers’ physical, and his guaranteed contract was converted to an invitation to spring training as a non-roster guest. Turner, a Long Beach native, walked into the locker room on his first day and saw Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Kenley Jansen, Adrian Gonzalez, Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp and Hanley Ramírez.
“It was a kind of pinch-me moment, like I belonged in this room with all these people,” he recalls.
Turner was called up to the team shortly before the club’s departure for Australia to open the 2014 season Down Under against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Turner became an All-Star for the first time in 2017 when he had six hits in 13 at-bats in the National League Division Series, including a game-winning home run in the ninth inning of Game 2 against the Chicago Cubs. Turner and Chris Taylor were co-MVPs of the NL Championship Series. Turner batted .333 with two home runs and seven RBIs.
The Dodgers lost the World Series to the Houston Astros, with Turner hitting just .160.
In 2020, the Dodgers won the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays with Turner hitting two home runs. He was removed from the game late in Game 6 for testing positive for COVID-19, but returned to the field to take victory photos with his teammates in violation of MLB rules. Turner later apologized.
After the 2022 season, the Dodgers declined his $16 million option for the upcoming season, making him a free agent. Turner played for Boston in 2023. He signed with Toronto earlier this year and was traded to Seattle last month.
“I secretly wish he would be a Dodger forever,” Roberts said. “That’s just not how sports work, but to me he will always be a Dodger and we will always be friends.”
Roberts took over as manager for the first time after the 2014 season and thanks Turner and Gonzalez for their support in front of the rest of the team, which built trust.
“I will always be grateful to these two guys in particular,” he said.
Turner wants to help the Mariners make the playoffs, but after his playing days, he wouldn’t mind working for the Dodgers.
“If that opportunity arose, of course that would be something I would really, really consider,” he said.
Roberts recommended Turner as a future major league manager.
“He’s probably the smartest player I’ve ever had. He understands all facets of the game on the field, off the field and the responsibilities of being a professional athlete,” he said. “He has the position of field manager on his radar. He and the organization have a lot of respect and admiration for him. For me, it’s a no-brainer.”
