It’s been a weird season, a season of a lot of firsts, but for the 1000th time, Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman, Justin Turner, recorded an MLB hit.
Turner officially joined the 1000 hit club during his first AB against the San Diego Padres on Aug. 11. Turner drilled a bottom of the second lead-off double to the left field wall, nearly putting up a HR.
The former California State Fullerton Titan joined the Dodgers in 2014 after four years with the New York Mets. He was drafted by the New York Yankees in 2005 but didn’t sign, and then the Cincinnati Reds in the 2006 although his debut didn’t come until 2009 with the Baltimore Orioles. The College World Series champion has hit nearly 80% (78%) of his career hits with the Dodgers.
While Turner is always looking to hit the ball, sometimes the ball looks to hit Turner. On Aug. 4, in a game against the Padres, Turner officially became the all-time hit-by-pitch leader in Dodgers history after being hit for the 74th time in Dodger blue (he was also hit for the 75th time on Aug. 7). Being hit by a pitch may not be the preferred stat to lead in, but it really helps cement his time so far as a Dodger.
Mookie Betts is also nearing his 1000th career hit, needing only (17) hits to join Turner. It has to feel pretty good for Dodger fans to see two of their top players join a special MLB club while in the Dodger uniform.
