I go back to a guy named Rod Kanehl. They called him “Hot Rod”. He played 2B, LF, RF, CF, 1B, SS, and 3B for the 1962-1964 Mets. Justin Turner is this team’s Rod Kanehl.
He also has the intensity of “Hot Rod”. Turner seemed to have the uncanny ability to always do something good when a run was needed or a runner needed to be advanced.
No, he’s not good enough to be a starter in the major leagues, but there’s a reason the team has a 25-man squad, not a 9-man one. And, according to Cot, he cost the Mets only an additional $45K to play last year in the majors.
Turner will get his reps regardless of who plays shortstop next season. He’ll play at 27 and last here he posted a.097-ISOP, .290-BABIP, and a .307 wOBA.
This is a great rags-to-riches story. He was originally drafted by the Yankees, as a junior, in 29th round of the 2005 draft. He didn’t sign, went back to Cal State Fullerton, and was drafted again in the 7th round of the 2006 draft by Cincinnati.
He played well for two Red minor league teams, but was traded to Baltimore as part of deal for C Ramon Hernandez. He was called up for a couple of short stints and eventually the Mets stole him away (May 2010) when he was sent back down.
This is the personification of a team player and it’s an honor to have him on “my” team.
That’s 17 down, 8 to go.
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