When the Los Angeles Dodgers 2019 promotional and giveaways calendar was announced, it included several bobblehead dates that were not yet designated to a specific honoree. One such date was July 3, which recently was announced as Justin Turner Bobblehead Night at Dodger Stadium.
It’s the fourth time the Dodgers have recognized Turner with a bobblehead, and a third year in a row. In 2018, Turner was one half of a ‘selfie’ bobblehead with former teammate Adrian Gonzalez.
This season’s model has Turner finishing the swing from his dramatic go-ahead home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of the 2018 National League Championship Series. Turner’s drive down the left-field line at Miller Park gave the Dodgers a decided 4-3 lead in the eighth inning.
On top of propelling the Dodgers to a series-tying victory, Turner’s home run came one night after going 0-for-5 in his first career four-strikeout game. That infamously prompted MLB analyst Frank Thomas to say Turner should not have been in the lineup for Game 2.
“When they needed a home run the most, they turned to Turner.”
Relive the moment with this surprise @redturn2 bobblehead on July 3 presented by Budweiser! Get your tickets now at https://t.co/36IUWLhmaz. pic.twitter.com/ZeSuiuxvm6
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 30, 2019
The home run additionally rankled Brewers relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress, who said Turner and the Dodgers had simply gotten ‘lucky’ in their comeback win. Jeffress allowed five hits, a walk and two runs in 1.1 innings pitched through the first two games of the NLCS.
Turner, one of the elite hitters in Dodgers postseason history, went 7-for-29 with the one home run, three RBI and one walk in the seven-game series against the Brewers.
It’s unclear if Turner will be in Tuesday’s lineup as he’s dealing with residual soreness after being hit by a pitch in his left elbow. He was sent for X-rays on his elbow and wrist, which both came back negative.
At minimum, Turner is scheduled to catch the first pitch from a young cancer survivor, who threw to her favorite player last season.
