MLB won't punish Dodgers' Turner for returning to field
Send a link to a friend
[November 07, 2020]
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Los
Angeles Dodgers' Justin Turner will not be punished for returning to
the field to celebrate the team's World Series win after the third
baseman tested positive for COVID-19 and was pulled from their
title-clinching game, MLB said on Friday.
Turner exited the contest before the start of the eighth inning when
the test result was conveyed to the team and told to isolate but
returned to the field to celebrate and take photos while not wearing
a mask, alarming many viewers.
MLB commissioner Robert Manfred said on Friday that Turner had
expressed remorse for his actions but the player believed he had
permission to return and that his team mates had encouraged him to
do so, feeling they had already been exposed.
MLB also failed to send a security person to monitor Turner and
transport him from the stadium in Texas to the hotel more promptly,
Manfred added in a statement.
"We all have made mistakes as we navigated these unprecedented
challenges and have tried to learn from those mistakes so they are
not repeated," Manfred said.
"With this in mind I am closing this matter by applauding Justin for
accepting responsibility, apologizing and making a commitment to set
a positive example going forward."
A contrite Turner said he was blindsided by the test result and said
it was "surreal" to be pulled from the field before realizing a
lifelong dream only to watch his team mates celebrate on a TV from a
doctor's office in the stadium.
[to top of second column]
|
Los Angeles Dodgers third
baseman Justin Turner (10) celebrates with the Commissioner's Trophy
after the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Tampa Bay Rays to win the
World Series in game six of the 2020 World Series at Globe Life
Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
"I was under the impression that team officials did not object to my
returning to the field for a picture with my wife," he said in a
statement.
"However, what was intended to be a photo capturing the two of us
turned into several greetings and photos where I briefly and
unwisely removed my mask.
"In hindsight, I should have waited until the field was clear of
others to take that photo with my wife. I sincerely apologize to
everyone on the field for failing to appreciate the risks of
returning to the field."
The Dodgers beat the Tampa Bay Rays in six games late last month to
end a 32-year title drought in a season shortened by the pandemic.
(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Ken Ferris)
[© 2020 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2020 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
|