Justin Turner Bio
Justin Matthew Turner (born November 23, 1984) is an American professional baseball infielder and designated hitter whose career in Major League Baseball has spanned more than 15 seasons. Over the years, he has suited up for the Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, and Chicago Cubs, establishing himself as a respected clubhouse leader and consistent middle-of-the-order bat. A 2020 World Series champion with the Dodgers and the 2022 Roberto Clemente Award winner, Turner is widely recognized for his on-field production and his extensive charitable work off the field.
Early Life and Background
Justin Turner was born in Long Beach, California, to John and Betsy Turner, and grew up alongside one younger sister. He attended Mayfair High School in nearby Lakewood, California, where he played shortstop and second baseman and earned three-time All-Suburban first-team honors.
After high school, Turner enrolled at California State University, Fullerton, where he majored in kinesiology while playing college baseball for the Cal State Fullerton Titans. He earned freshman All-American recognition from Baseball America in 2003 after quickly taking over as the starting second baseman, and he was named to the 2003 College World Series all-tournament team as a shortstop. The following year, Cal State Fullerton captured the 2004 College World Series title with a two-game final victory over Texas. Turner also spent a summer playing in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox in 2005, further sharpening his game against top amateur competition.
Path to Major League Baseball
Turner was selected in the 29th round of the 2005 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees, but he did not sign, returning to Fullerton for another year. The following summer, the Cincinnati Reds picked him in the seventh round (204th overall) of the 2006 MLB Draft, and he signed for a $50,000 bonus. He began his professional career that year in the rookie-level Billings Mustangs, where he played all four infield positions and some outfield, posting a team-leading .338 batting average and a .921 OPS.
Within two years, Turner had advanced to Double-A Chattanooga, finishing the 2008 season at age 23 with a .289 average and a .792 OPS. On December 9, 2008, during the Winter Meetings, Cincinnati traded him, along with utility player Ryan Freel and infielder Brandon Waring, to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for catcher Ramón Hernández, setting the stage for his major league debut the following fall.
Justin Turner Career
Early Career (2009-2010)
After beginning 2009 at Triple-A Norfolk, the Orioles purchased Turner’s contract on September 8, 2009, and he made his big-league debut that night at Fenway Park, pinch-hitting for Melvin Mora and finishing the game at third base. His first major league hit came at Yankee Stadium, a single to center field off Michael Dunn. He appeared in 12 games that September, going 3-for-18.
Turner briefly returned to the majors in April 2010 when Baltimore recalled him after Brian Roberts went on the injured list, but on May 21, 2010, the Orioles designated him for assignment. In 17 total games with Baltimore, he hit .111. On May 25, 2010, the New York Mets claimed him off waivers and optioned him to Triple-A Buffalo before calling him up in June.
New York Mets Breakthrough (2010-2013)
Turner’s first extended run in the majors came with the Mets beginning in 2011. On May 15, 2011, he hit his first major league home run off Aneury Rodriguez of the Houston Astros, a three-run shot that capped a five-RBI day. One week later, in a Subway Series game at Yankee Stadium, he recorded an RBI in his seventh consecutive game, setting a Mets rookie record. His strong May earned him the National League Rookie of the Month award, the first Met ever to win the honor.
Over four seasons in New York, Turner was used as a versatile utility infielder, eventually platooning at shortstop when Ruben Tejada was injured. In 301 games with the Mets, he hit .265/.326/.370 before being non-tendered after the 2013 season and becoming a free agent.
Los Angeles Dodgers Era (2014-2022)
After his release from the Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers bench coach Tim Wallach spotted Turner at a Cal State Fullerton alumni game, and the infielder signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers on February 5, 2014, earning a spot on the Opening Day roster. Injuries to Hanley Ramírez and Juan Uribe gave him regular playing time, and he led the team with a .340 batting average in 109 games. The following year he took over as the everyday third baseman and posted a .294 average with 16 home runs and 60 RBI, then signed a four-year, $64 million contract after the 2016 season.
Turner became a star in Los Angeles, earning All-Star honors in 2017 and 2021 and winning the 2017 National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award after hitting .333 with two home runs and seven RBI, including a walk-off home run in Game 2 against the Chicago Cubs. He finished the 2020 season by winning the World Series with the Dodgers over the Tampa Bay Rays, recording eight hits, including two home runs, before being pulled from Game 6 after a positive COVID-19 test. After the 2022 season, the Dodgers declined his option, ending his nearly decade-long run in Los Angeles.
Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays (2023-2024)
Turner signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the Boston Red Sox on January 6, 2023, and played 146 games, mostly at designated hitter, hitting .276 with 23 home runs and 96 RBI. He opted out of his contract after the season and signed a one-year, $13 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays on January 30, 2024, batting .250/.350/.372 with six home runs and 31 RBI in 91 games.
Chicago Cubs and Beyond (2025)
On February 20, 2025, Turner signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Chicago Cubs, where he continued to add to his career totals. On July 8, 2025, he hit his 200th career home run off Joey Wentz, and on August 3, 2025, he delivered his first career walk-off home run off Keegan Akin in a 5-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles. The Cubs declined his mutual option for 2026 on November 6, returning him to free agency.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Turner’s signature achievements are his 2017 NLCS MVP, his 2020 World Series ring with the Dodgers, his two All-Star selections (2017 and 2021), and his 2022 Roberto Clemente Award recognizing his charitable work. He also set a Dodgers franchise record for most postseason RBI in a single year, surpassing Dusty Baker’s previous mark, and was the first three-time winner of the Roy Campanella Award in franchise history.
Justin Turner Career Highlights
Across his MLB career, Justin Turner has been a steady offensive force, finishing with a .283 batting average, 1,617 hits, 201 home runs, and 832 runs batted in through the 2025 season. His most productive stretch came with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he became an All-Star twice, won an NLCS MVP, and earned a World Series championship in 2020.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his major league accomplishments, Turner was a Cape Cod Baseball League participant in 2005, an integral member of the 2004 College World Series championship team at Cal State Fullerton, and was named the NL Rookie of the Month in May 2011. In 2024, he was also the most endorsed MLB athlete, with 20 endorsement deals according to Sponsor United.
Justin Turner Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Justin Turner married his longtime girlfriend Kourtney Pogue in December 2017 at a beachfront resort in Mexico, with former Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershiser officiating the ceremony. Turner and his wife reside in Studio City, California, and their son, Bo Jordan Turner, was born in July 2024.
Charitable Work
Turner and his wife founded the Justin Turner Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that supports homeless veterans, children battling life-altering illnesses, and various youth baseball programs. The foundation hosts an annual charity golf tournament, serves as an official charity for the LA Marathon, and partners with the Dream Center, 17Strong, and Paralyzed Veterans of America. In recognition of his civic contributions, the Los Angeles City Council declared January 22, 2019, as Justin Turner Day.
2025 Season Performance
Turner’s 2025 campaign with the Chicago Cubs marked another productive year for the veteran infielder and designated hitter. He reached a major career milestone on July 8, hitting his 200th career home run off Detroit Tigers pitcher Joey Wentz. Later that summer, on August 3, he delivered a walk-off home run off Keegan Akin to give the Cubs a 5-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles, his first career walk-off homer.
Although the Cubs declined his mutual option for 2026 on November 6, Turner closed the year with strong veteran production and remained an influential presence in the clubhouse. His combination of contact hitting, on-base skills, and postseason experience continued to make him an attractive option for clubs looking to add leadership and right-handed pop to their lineup.
