Can you imagine Justin Turner as anything other than a Los Angeles Dodger? He was, and it can also be argued that he was lucky to ever play in L.A., as Turner seemed to have two steps away from the diamond.
Turner first made the Majors in 2009 with Baltimore and would later spend time with the Mets, but he was not impressive for either team and was non-tendered in 2013, making him a Free Agent. He was signed by the Dodgers for an opportunity while starring at a Cal-State Fullerton alumni Game, and he made the Los Angeles roster in 2014 and was set to unshackle his past performance.
Due to injuries to other players, Turner got a chance to play regularly, and he responded by batting .340 in 109 Games and became an even better player as he entered his 30s. In 2016, he had a career-high 27 Home Runs and was ninth in MVP voting, which he followed up with a 21 Home Run year with an OPS is .945. Turner went to his first All-Star Game that year and was eighth in MVP voting.
The popular redhead did not have another top-ten MVP finish but still provided very good baseball, having two more 27 Home Run years, adding a second All-Star in 2021, and winning a World Series Ring in 2020. Last season, Turner won the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, which is given annually to the players who best exemplify the game of baseball, sportsmanship, and community involvement.
The popular player is still a Dodger as of this writing and could climb up a few more spots.
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