The Los Angeles Dodgers won their first World Series championship since 1988 on Tuesday night when they beat the Tampa Bay Rays by 3-1. The team ran on to the field to celebrate. The problem was that Justin Turner, the Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman, ran on to the field with them. Turner had tested positive for the coronavirus in the middle of the game and was promptly yanked from play, just before the eighth inning, to quarantine in a doctor's office. But, he proceeded to break protocol by returning to the pitch with his teammates and posing for pictures once they became champions.
The MLB released a statement on the incident, regretting that Turner had put his fellow players at risk.
MLB statement on Justin Turner: pic.twitter.com/J8S8mVbG13
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 28, 2020
Some baseball fans were disappointed in the player's "irresponsible" action.
"So what should have been a triumphant Los Angeles moment has been shaded in shame," Bill Plasche wrote in the Los Angeles Times. "What should have been a moment of elation has been transformed into a portrait of edginess. The third-base cornerstone of the Dodgers’ first championship in 32 years has botched his last play."
The league is currently doing an investigation to determine what kind of penalty, if any, they are going to place on Turner.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said he doesn't completely fault Turner. He earned his right to be out on that field, Friedman argued and was at least "mindful" of others.
"Having a mask on and staying socially distanced, he wanted to come out and take a picture with the trophy, which I can't state strongly enough how big of a role he's played in the success of this organization," Friedman said after Tuesday's game.
"But I think for him, just being a free agent, not knowing exactly how the future is going to play out, I don't think there was anyone that was going to stop him from going out. I think -- from at least my perspective and not watching it super closely with everything going on -- but I think he was mindful of other people, especially other people that he hadn't already been in contact with. This is something that we're going to wrap our arms around tonight and in the morning and figure out where we're going from here." (ESPN)
Without addressing the controversy, Turner tweeted an update on his condition, noting that he is asymptomatic.
Thanks to everyone reaching out! I feel great, no symptoms at all. Just experienced every emotion you can possibly imagine. Can’t believe I couldn’t be out there to celebrate with my guys! So proud of this team & unbelievably happy for the City of LA#WorldSeriesChamps
— Justin Turner (@redturn2) October 28, 2020
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