Justin Turner Named Dodgers Nominee For Man Of The Year Award
The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the more charitable franchises in the game, evidenced by their own foundation, countless community help and players involved in charitable causes of their own.
Clayton Kershaw is probably one of the biggest philanthropists in the big leagues, having his own charity, Kershaw’s Challenge, that helps out in several countries. His Ping Pong 4 Purpose tournament is just one example of his community work. Because of his work, the reigning NL MVP is also the reigning Marvin Miller Man of the Year.
The award is given every year to the player “whose on-field performance and contributions to his community inspire others to higher levels of achievement”. Each team selects a nominee and the fans choose the top-six finalists. From there, MLB players vote on the winner.
This year, the Dodgers’ nominee is third baseman Justin Turner. The red-headed infielder was part of Kershaw’s ping pong tournament and also was on-hand to deliver backpacks and school supplies with the Los Angeles Dream Center this season.
Turner is in his second year with the Dodgers and he’s integrated himself into the community quite well. The 30-year-old was born in Long Beach and attended Mayfair High School in Lakewood before attending Cal State University, Fullerton.
He would join Kershaw as the only Dodgers to win the award.