Dodgers: Justin Turner posts awesome Tommy Lasorda tribute

Adam Weinrib

PITTSBURGH - 1980's: Manager Tommy Lasorda #2 of the Los Angeles Dodgers argues with umpire Lee Weyer during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Three Rivers Stadium circa 1985 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)

Justin Turner’s Tommy Lasorda tribute really gets at what he meant to the Dodgers.

As Justin Turner’s Dodgers career sits at a crossroads, the veteran third baseman has had plenty of time to reflect on his legacy in the city of Los Angeles this offseason.

In a related matter, he’s also surely thought about where exactly his particular peg fits into the franchise’s rich history.

Is he going to be known for his fiery side and personal drive? Probably; Turner singlehandedly led the charge in several postseason moments where it seemed like the Dodgers were entering the doldrums. What about performance on the richest stage in October? Yup, mark that one down, too; and his postseason prowess is now officially gilded with a ring he took home in 2020.

Those particular niches in Dodgers history — grit, tenacity, and title-winning drive — are embodied by Tommy Lasorda better than anyone. So it was only fitting that, on a day of remembrance capping an offseason of self-reflection, Turner posted one of the most thorough tributes to Lasorda’s legacy of any Dodger, current or former.

It’s safe to say Turner graduated from Lasorda U with flying colors.

The third baseman’s statement is also a fresh reminder of just how ever-present Lasorda was, even in his waning years.

In fact, the final Dodgers game he ever attended in person was the team’s drought-ending World Series win in Texas this past fall.

Perhaps it’s a foolish errand in this day and age, but it’s possible a compromise between Turner and the Dodgers will be easier to strike following the passing of a man who reminded the current roster at every turn just how special it is to be branded with the blue.

https://twitter.com/SportsNetLA/status/1347630402089832448?s=20

Perhaps a four-year demand becomes three years, simply so Turner can continue embodying Lasorda’s legacy instead of trying to start fresh — and, let’s be clear, clean up his own post-title mess — somewhere else?

Regardless of what Turner’s future holds, his heartfelt statement was a fairly impressive summation of what Lasorda meant to this roster, this city, and this grand game.

Adam Weinrib

Adam Weinrib is a Content Director on the FanSided network, and has been the co-editor at Yanks Go Yard and Dodgers Way for 4 years. He also co-hosts The Baseball Insiders Podcast twice weekly, alongside FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray, as well as the Yanks Go Yard Podcast. Previously, he was a Senior Editor at 12up.com, and has been covering MLB and NFL for eight years. Previously, he was a headline and features contributor at ClickHole and Onion Sports, as well as the Associate Producer of the ESPN 30 for 30 film "Believeland". An avowed fan of the New York sports teams -- specifically the Yankees -- as well as the North Carolina Tar Heels, you can find Adam complaining mid-game on Twitter, as well as on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn if the game goes really poorly.