The Los Angeles Dodgers voted Justin Turner the winner of the 15th annual Roy Campanella Award, marking a second consecutive season and third time in the past four years he’s earned the prestigious honor. Uniformed Dodger personnel annually vote on the award.
Turner is the organization’s first player to be a three-time recipient to break a tie with Clayton Kershaw (2013, 2014) and Chase Utley (2016, 2018). Turner will be presented the award by Campanella’s daughter, Joni Campanella Roan, via video message prior to Saturday’s game.
The award is given annually to a Dodgers player who best exemplifies the spirit and leadership of the late Hall of Fame catcher.
Rafael Furcal received the inaugural Roy Campanella Award in 2006, and since the list of winners also include Russell Martin (2007), James Loney (2008), Juan Pierre (2009), Jamey Carroll (2010), Matt Kemp (2011), A.J. Ellis (2012) and Zack Greinke (2015).
On top of his steady presence in the Dodgers lineup, Turner has been a pillar in the L.A. community. He and Kourtney Turner regularly provide for those in need through their Justin Turner Foundation, which was founded in 2016.
This year the Turners partnered with local restaurants to have food delivered each day to the Dream Center for their drive-thru service. The effort led to an estimated 900,000 meals being provided to citizens over an 82-day span in the middle of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Justin and Kourtney also arranged for meals to be sent to doctors, nurses and staff at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA).
Turner nominee for Roberto Clemente Award
Turner not only was recognized by his Dodgers teammates and coaches for the Roy Campanella Award, but he also is the team’s nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award. That too takes into account charitable efforts.
“First and foremost, Kourtney should be sitting up here next to me,” Turner said during a press conference to discuss his nomination. “She deserves as much of the credit and recognition for this award as I get.
“She’s been unbelievable for our foundation, keeping everything organized, moving forward, responding and setting things up. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for her,” Justin said. “I would have no chance of doing this if it wasn’t for her.
“She is incredibly organized, she spends hours and hours on her computer every day, going through emails, answering emails, setting up food deliveries, reaching out to different companies for sponsors.”
Fan voting for the Roberto Clemente Award is open through Sunday.
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