Excitement from the Los Angeles Dodgers winning their first World Series since 1988 was dampened a bit as it was accompanied by shocking news of Justin Turner testing positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).
Turner was removed in the eighth inning of Game 6 without any explanation, and concern over his absence grew when he was not seen in the dugout nor on the field when the Dodgers began celebrating their title.
Fox then revealed they had been informed by MLB that Turner was taken out of the game and placed into isolation because of the positive test. With the Dodgers and MLB both complicit, he later emerged on the field alongside his wife for the purpose of taking a photo with the trophy.
Turner also joined his teammates for a champions picture, which became the subject of scrutiny and an MLB investigation. That has since concluded without any discipline being levied.
While the Dodgers reportedly had negative tests in the immediate aftermath of the incident, a handful of those who were not with the team in the bubble have contracted the virus, according to Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
Five members of the Dodgers organization have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
A person with knowledge of the situation who wasn’t authorized to speak on the record said none of the five positive tests came from people inside the Dodgers’ playoff bubble in Texas last month, where third baseman Justin Turner tested positive and was removed during the team’s World Series-clinching win Oct. 27.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, a cancer survivor and who sat next to Turner for the team photo, said this week he has twice tested negative. Given the sparse details, it’s plausible Dodgers personnel who remained in L.A. or traveled to attend World Series games are who have fallen ill — and not necessarily players in the organization.
Scott Alexander, Tony Gonsolin, Kenley Jansen and AJ Pollock reported positive tests prior to Summer Camp beginning, but the Dodgers otherwise did not have a player contract the virus during the season. Furthermore, Gonsolin maintained his was a false positive.
Kasten lauds Turner
In MLB announcing the conclusion of their investigation, it was accompanied by statements from commissioner Rob Manfred, Turner and Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten.
“No player was more instrumental in allowing the Dodgers to overcome the adversity created by the pandemic than Justin Turner, as he set an example for his teammates and advocated for enhanced safety measures that went above and beyond league requirements,” Kasten said.
“Justin’s leadership played a large part in helping the Dodgers safely complete the entire season, which culminated in a World Championship. While the events following the conclusion of the World Series were unfortunate, there is no question about who Justin Turner is, and what he means to his teammates, the Dodger organization and the City of Los Angeles.
“A three-time nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award as Baseball’s top humanitarian, Justin and his wife Kourtney represent the best of the Dodger organization through the positive impact of the Justin Turner Foundation and their continued commitment to making Los Angeles a better place.”
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