Turner Ward: Being Closer To Family Factored Into Leaving Los Angeles
In the end, being closer to home was a deciding factor in Turner Ward leaving the Los Angeles Dodgers for the Cincinnati Reds. Ward stated that the vision he has of the Reds currently also factored into his decision to leave. In an interview with Bill Plunkett, Ward gave some quotes.
“The vision of what they’re trying to do, I can see it,” Ward said to reporters of leaving the National League champions for a job with the Reds. “I’ve been impressed with their offense. Also, add the logistics of being closer to home. Family is very important to me and it made it hard being in L.A.”
Equally important – Ward’s wife has struggled with health issues in recent years. It’s hard to fault a man who has this on his plate when he decides to take another job. Andrew Friedman didn’t see it any different.
“I think proximity to home and an opportunity for him that he just couldn’t pass up,” Friedman said. “Our philosophy is to never stand in someone’s way if something makes more sense for them for whatever reason. I think it was a situation that falls under that umbrella. He’s been a big part of what we’ve done the last few years.”
Look for the Cincinnati Reds to suddenly become a team that begins to knock down fences and hit for more power. Moreover, in a ballpark like the home park the Reds play in, it could be conducive to the selective approach Ward teaches. Cincinnati ranked 20th in baseball in 2018 with 172 home runs. The Dodgers were second with 235.
Turner Ward & Yasiel Puig Compilation
Special thanks to friend of the site, ‘littlefoot’ on twitter for this gem. Make sure you have your kleenex ready and next to you.
don’t cry because it’s over smile because it happened pic.twitter.com/r6mad4N0RI
— littlefoot? (@ashleyannelopez) November 7, 2018
It goes without saying – we will miss you Turner Ward. And we will miss how well you dealt with Yasiel Puig’s antics and brought out the best in the Wild Horse. Thank you.
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