Why Justin Turner Deserved to Celebrate World Series Win, despite Positive COVID-19 Test

Imagine being a champion and not being able to celebrate your elusive triumph. Imagine having worked so hard for that chance to bask in a moment of glory just to have it stripped away from you for the third time in the past four years.

That’s the pain that Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner had to endure on Tuesday night after being pulled out of Game 6 of the World Series. Instead of being on the field, Turner was isolated in the Dodger clubhouse, watching as his beloved Dodgers clinched their first World Series title since 1988.

According to ESPN, in the second inning of Game 6, the lab doing COVID-19 tests informed MLB that Turner's test from Monday came back inconclusive. Turner sample test from Tuesday was run immediately and once it was deemed positive, league officials told the Dodgers to remove Turner from the field.

At 36 years old, Turner, who will be a free agent this winter, is the heart and soul of the Dodger franchise. He’s beloved by Dodger fans, teammates and coaching staff alike. His clubhouse presence and leadership is undeniably compelling. In every sense of the word, Turner embodies what it means to be a Dodger. The only issue was that he was missing the highly coveted World Series ring.

Before we delve any further, it is important to address the elephant in the room— the threat Turner posed to his teammates, coaches and their families alike with his positive COVID-19 test.

It’s important to note, that Dodgers had been essentially quarantined in MLB’s “Playoff Bubble” hotel in Arlington, Texas, for the past five weeks. During those five weeks, Turner was constantly exposed to his teammates, coaches and their families alike. On the other hand, he had already played seven innings in Game 6 and had partaken in pre-game warm-ups with the team.

He already had exposed his teammates for at least five hours, if not more. Not to mention, given both COVID tests were taken before Game 6, Turner had already exposed players and coaches’ families as well while at the team hotel.

Could MLB officials have handled this situation better? Absolutely. Should have Turner been forced to remain isolated in the Dodger clubhouse while his team celebrated their World Series victory? Absolutely not.

To exclude a man from partaking in reaping the fruits of his labor is inhumane. To force a man to isolate because of subpar and unorganized logistics is unreasonable. To prevent a man like Turner from basking in World Series gold after enduring two heart-breaking losses to cheaters like the Houston Astros and the Boston Red Sox is simply uncalled for.

As World Series MVP Corey Seager told The Athletic, “That man [Turner], more than anybody, deserves to to take a picture with that trophy, celebrate with us, have his family around and enjoy this moment. That got taken away from him, and that doesn’t sit well with me.”