BOSTON — The return of Mookie Betts to Fenway Park this weekend figures to be an emotional experience for both the player and Red Sox fans.
Betts, however, at least had the benefit of some time to process his change of address. This is his fourth season with the Los Angeles Dodgers and he could settle in with a new team in a new city.
Justin Turner hasn’t had that luxury. Just nine months after severing ties with the Dodgers, a team for which he played nine seasons, Turner Friday found himself facing his former team.
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It’s been a successful transition for Turner. On the field, he’s arguably been the Red Sox MVP. In the clubhouse, he’s assumed a huge leadership role despite being in his first season with the club. And off the field, Turner and his wife, Kourtney, have integrated themselves into the community, establishing a foundation and taking part in some philanthropic activities.
“At the end of the day, it’s playing baseball,” said Turner. “Obviously, it helped coming over here and having Kenley (Jansen), Kiké (Hernandez), Chris Martin, (Alex) Verdugo, Connor Wong, a bunch of guys that I was familiar with, helped make the transition a little easier. But at the end of the day, you’re playing baseball. It’s the same game here that it is in LA.”
Meanwhile, Turner insisted that this would not be emotionally draining for him as a member of the Red Sox.
“I feel like it’s going to be going out and playing against a bunch of friends,” said Turner. “I’m going to enjoy it. It’s going to be fun. I don’t know how I’ll feel when I go back (and play a game) to LA. But here, it’s playing a game at Fenway and I just happen to know a bunch of guys over there really well.”
But while Turner downplayed his smooth transition, Alex Cora can’t help but be impressed.
“He embraced this,” said Cora. “I haven’t seen a guy — even when I played — that has made such an impact, not only on the field but off the field, so quick with another organization. He’s so consistent with what he does. Forget the baseball part of it. But as a person, what he brings to the organization on a daily basis, to his teammates, and what be brings on a daily basis to the community. It’s been fun to watch.
“I know he was big part of what they were trying to accomplish. Not too many people are talking about how big (a deal) it is for him to face (the Dodgers). We haven’t even talked about it. But the guy is great.”
