Dodgers Team News

Dodgers News: Mookie Betts Reacts to Justin Turner Leaving LA

When Justin Turner signed with the Red Sox over the weekend, the ripples were felt throughout Los Angeles. JT wasn’t just a presence on the field for the Dodgers, he was a leader in the clubhouse and in the community. The winner of the 2022 Roberto Clemente Award, Turner was a true Dodger, and seeing him leave is sad for everyone.

JT’s former teammate Mookie Betts took part in a celebrity flag football game to raise money for the Los Angeles Chargers Impact Fund, and while he was there, a reporter asked him for his thoughts on Turner going to Boston, where Mookie used to play.

“I hate to see something like that. He’s so near and dear to everyone in LA — I’m sure he’ll still have his hands on stuff in LA. I wish him nothing but the best but he’s got to make sure he goes and gets himself a mink coat because it’s cold up there.”

It’s always been interesting to me the way Mookie has spoken about Boston. He’s never critical, really, but you might have expected something like, “We’ll miss JT, but he’s going to love playing in Boston. The fans there are great, they love their team and they show up every night, so he’s going to love it there.” But there’s none of that, just, “Get a coat, because you’re gonna freeze your butt off.” Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but I’ve often had the feeling that Red Sox fans are a big part of why Mookie didn’t want to sign an extension there.

Hopefully, Turner will be back in the Dodgers organization in a year or two. In the meantime, we hope he stays warm and has a lot of success in Boston.

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Jeff Snider

Jeff was born into a Dodgers family in Southern California and is now raising a Dodgers family of his own in Utah. During his previous career as an executive at a technology company, he began writing about baseball in his spare time. After leaving corporate America in 2014, he started doing it professionally. Jeff wrote and edited for Baseball Essential for years before joining Dodgers Nation. He's also the co-host of the Locked On Dodgers podcast, a daily podcast that brings the smart fan's perspective on our Boys in Blue. Jeff has a degree in English from Brigham Young University. Favorite Player: Clayton Kershaw Favorite Moment: Kirk Gibson's homer will always have a place, but Kershaw's homer on Opening Day 2013 might be the winner.

6 Comments

  1. The hell with the red sox and their racist history.Rojo Turner doesn’t belong there.Friedman should of found a way to resign him.I’ll take Turner over Martinez!

  2. I was there when the Sox fans rode Jim Rice mercilessly. It’s not a good place for African American players. They’ve learned to like Hispanic players like Pedro and Big Papi. But I get where Betts is coming from.

  3. Good seeing the sure fired Dodger Turner leaving the Blue for the Red Sox so we don’t have to see him as often in San Francisco or San Diego to see him hitting clutch shots all over the field. Great move !!! Bye. !!

  4. I realize nothing’s for ever but with all the changes, it would have been nice to keep JT and watch him retire as a Dodger. Hope we get him back as a coach or manager someday.

    1. A.G. Even the Cardinals lost Pujols only to see him return & have an unbelievable final season! So here’s to J.T. returning to the Dodgers to retire in the uniform that fits him best.

  5. Con irse para Boston creo no va a sentir la pena de ver a Dodgers hundidos en su division por mala administracion y pesima direccion

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