In return to LA, Turner reflects on 'very special' Dodgers tenure

This story was excerpted from Juan Toribio’s Dodgers Beat newsletter, written this week by Sarah Wexler. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

LOS ANGELES -- It’s hard to imagine how differently Justin Turner’s career would have turned out if the Dodgers hadn’t taken a flier on him back in 2014.

Then a 29-year-old career .260 hitter with a .684 OPS in parts of five seasons with the Orioles and Mets, Turner found a lifeline when then-general manager Ned Colletti reached out about potentially signing the infielder after the Mets non-tendered him.

Only there was another obstacle in Turner’s way.

“Dr. [Neal] ElAttrache, who is a really good friend of mine, and I respect the hell out of him, and love him to death -- but he actually failed my physical when I came over [to the Dodgers],” Turner, now with Seattle, said before his team’s series opener against L.A. on Monday. “So my guaranteed deal turned into a non-roster invitee, and I had to make the team. … I still love Neal. And yeah, I remind him every day about it.”

When the Mariners traveled to Dodger Stadium this week, it was Turner’s first time back since his final season with the Dodgers in 2022. Being there brought on a flood of memories, all the way back to that very first Spring Training.

“I walk in and look around the clubhouse, and it's Juan Uribe, it's Hanley Ramirez, it's Adrián González, Matt Kemp, Carl Crawford, Andre Ethier, Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Kenley Jansen,” said Turner. “The list just went on and on and on, and it was kind of a ‘pinch me’ moment. Like, ‘Do I belong in this room with all these people?’”

Turner doubtlessly proved he belonged during his nine-year tenure in Los Angeles. He transformed himself from a player on the bubble into a lineup stalwart, batting .296 with an .865 OPS and 156 homers. A two-time All-Star and the 2017 National League Championship Series co-MVP with Chris Taylor, Turner established himself as a clubhouse leader and a perennial fan favorite.

“This place was -- is -- very special to me,” said Turner.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had nothing but praise for Turner, describing him as “probably the smartest player I've ever had.” He also expressed appreciation for Turner (along with González) having his back and helping him earn other players’ trust when he was a rookie skipper in 2016.

“On my emotional side, I wish he was a Dodger forever,” said Roberts. “That's just not the way that sports work. But he’s always a Dodger to me, and we're gonna be friends forever.”

Dodgers fans haven’t forgotten what Turner meant to the team or his community, either -- and they proved that all series long. Turner, who collected two hits in three games, was honored with a pregame ceremony on Monday, then received loud ovations each time he came up to bat over the next couple of nights.

“I think Tommy [Lasorda] said it best: Dodger blue is running through the veins of every single fan in the city,” said Turner. “I can't thank them enough for the support they gave me, not only on the field, but through [the Justin Turner Foundation] and everything we were able to accomplish and all the people we're still able to affect because of the support we got from the people of this amazing city. They'll always have a special place in my heart.”

A lot has changed for Turner in the decade since he first joined the Dodgers’ organization. He’s a father now, as his wife, Kourtney, gave birth to the couple’s first child, Bo, in July (both of whom joined him at Dodger Stadium this week). He’s also one of MLB’s oldest active players at 39 years old -- meaning it might not be long before it’s time for him to think about the next chapter.

“Justin can do whatever he wants, in my opinion,” said Roberts. “I think he's an on-field guy. I think he could be in the booth. I think he has an eye for talent, I think he could be in the front office.”

Whatever the role might be, it’s tempting to wonder if a reunion between Turner and the Dodgers could be in the cards. And while Turner emphasized that such a decision would have to be a “two-way street,” he seemed quite open to the idea.

“I'm from Southern California,” said Turner. “I think it's a great place to be. It's a great place to play. Obviously, if that opportunity presented itself, it would be something that I really, really took into consideration.”