While the Los Angeles Dodgers have shuffled players in and out over the years, Justin Turner has been part of the core that’s produced a streak of National League West titles and postseason runs.
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He was not with the Dodgers when they won the NL West in 2013 but has been an integral part of their success since 2014. Turner has seen the highest of highs and lowest of lows during that time, and the 2018 season included both.
“We had a great run, a great year,” he said from the Dodgers clubhouse after their Game 5 loss in the World Series. “A lot of people didn’t even think we were going to make the playoffs. Here we are, one of the last two teams playing. Fell a little bit short again.”
Turner dealt with plenty on a personal level as he suffered a fractured left wrist late in Spring Training. It delayed the start of his season, and Turner battled residual discomfort in the wrist throughout the remainder of the year.
His absence was a factor in the Dodgers beginning the season 16-24, which marked their worst start to a year in franchise history. Turner and the club ultimately persevered, even if the end result was a second consecutive World Series loss.
“The resiliency, the fight,” answered Turner when asked what he took from this year’s team. “Our back was against the wall the entire season. Just proud of everyone in here, proud of all the guys and everything we’ve accomplished. It’s just a [expletive] feeling.”
Turner will take some time to recover from another long year, then get back to work toward helping the Dodgers end their World Series drought. “Bounce back, regroup, get into offseason workouts whenever you decide to do that, and put our eye on the target for next year,” he said.
