The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched their first World Series title in 32 years, with a thrilling 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 6 last night in Arlington, Texas, but the postgame celebration was a bizarre mix of elation, joy, relief and … worry. That’s because star third baseman Justin Turner had to leave the game in the eighth inning because of a positive COVID-19 test.
The reason Turner left the game was a mystery, but FOX Sports reported the reason why, and for most of the early part of the Dodgers celebration on the field, he was nowhere to be seen. But he did show up, without a mask at times, hugging his teammates and posing for a team photo with the World Series trophy.
Turner shared on Twitter that he was feeling “great” and showing “no symptoms at all,” and clearly did not want to miss out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate a championship with his teammates. “Thanks to everyone reaching out! I feel great, no symptoms at all. Just experienced every emotion you can possibly imagine. Can’t believe I couldn’t be out there to celebrate with my guys! So proud of this team & unbelievably happy for the City of LA,” he wrote.
Dodgers star Mookie Betts did not have a problem with Turner being on the field after testing positive, telling ESPN, “He’s part of the team. Forget all that, he’s part of the team. We’re not excluding him from anything.”
Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers President of Baseball Operations admitted there will be a lot of people questioning if Turner should have been on the field celebrating. “I totally understand the question. If there’s people around him without masks, it’s not good optics at all.”
Thanks to everyone reaching out! I feel great, no symptoms at all. Just experienced every emotion you can possibly imagine. Can’t believe I couldn’t be out there to celebrate with my guys! So proud of this team & unbelievably happy for the City of LA#WorldSeriesChamps
— Justin Turner (@redturn2) October 28, 2020
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