How cute is baseball! And how the strange things that can happen are enjoyed. Today Justin Turner relieved Kenley Jansen and closed the game for the Dodgers. And you know what? He did not allow any annotation.
In a 13-season major league career we thought we’d seen it all by now. The 2020 World Series title looked like the climax for the Red Baron of the Dodgers. He was going to free agency and might not come back.
π Tremendous debut as a pitcher of my Justin Turner di oro. Red Beard climbed to the mound in the 3rd of the series between #Dodgers and #Rockies and hung up the zero on the 9thβ¬οΈ. pic.twitter.com/VjfIhfJh2q
-. :: ππππ ::. (@gapre_) August 29, 2021
But the love, the chemistry and the desire to wear blue again were stronger than any other offer that could appear and Justin returned to Los Angeles with more enthusiasm than the first time.
He has given us a very busy season, but today is priceless.
I don’t understand how JT’s uniform passes sticky inspection.
– Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) August 29, 2021
Justin Turner transitioned from Brusdar Graterol’s pitching coach to active pitcher, making his debut in this role as a closer against the Colorado Rockies.
Justin faced the cream of the crop of the Denver lineup. After allowing Story hits, Cron dispatched Rio Ruiz, Sam Hilliard and Dom NuΓ±ez for a scoreless inning.
Justin Turner has a 0.00 career ERA after pitching a scoreless 9th against the Rockies !! ππ#Dodgers
– Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) August 29, 2021
The Statcast today was speechless. Lots of gear changes over 75 mph and some slider from 56 mph to 74 mph was all that MLB’s automated system could dictate.
But the result is there. Justin Turner makes his MLB debut as a pitcher and goes “from pitching coach to active pitcher”