With the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series for a second consecutive year, Justin Turner provided one of the more memorable highlights in franchise history and the No. 4 moment from the past decade, as ranked by DodgerBlue.com.
After defeating the Chicago Cubs in Game 1 of the 2017 NLCS, the Dodgers looked to take a 2-0 series lead before heading to Wrigley Field. Game 2 was locked in a tie when Yasiel Puig led off the bottom of the ninth inning with a walk.
A sacrifice bunt moved Puig into scoring position, which was then followed by a Kyle Farmer strikeout. Chris Taylor kept the inning alive with a six-pitch walk and paved the way for Turner to create his defining October moment.
On the second pitch from Cubs’ veteran John Lackey, Turner clubbed a walk-off, three-run home run to center field that sent Dodger Stadium into a frenzy. It marked just the second walk-off home run in Dodgers postseason history (Max Muncy made it three during the 2018 World Series).
Of course, Turner’s walk-off home run was the Dodgers’ first in a postseason since Kirk Gibson did so in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series. And coincidentally, Turner’s came on the Oct. 15 anniversary.
“One of my earliest baseball memories was being at my grandma’s house and watching that game and watching Gibby hit that homer,” Turner said after his dramatic homer.
“I can’t even put it into words right now. It’s incredible. The most important thing was, obviously, helping us get another win. But that’s something down the road, hopefully many, many years from now I’ll get to tell stories about.”
The Dodgers went on to defeat the Cubs in five games and advance to their first World Series in 29 years. Turner, who hit a scorching .333/.478/.667 in the NLCS, earned co-MVP honors with Taylor.
Top Dodgers moments of the previous decade
No. 5: Rookies combine to set MLB record
No. 6: Max Muncy’s walk-off home run ends longest World Series game in MLB history
No. 7: Yasiel Puig’s MLB debut against San Diego Padres in 2013
No. 8: Juan Uribe hits a game-winning home run against Atlanta Braves in 2013 NLDS
No. 9: Dodgers clinch NL West title in 2013
No. 10: Adrian Gonzalez hits home run in first at-bat with Dodgers
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in our live shows, and more!
