World Series
Positive Covid test during the final: baseball star is replaced – and returns to the celebration
Justin Turner (right) of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after playing with the World Series trophy
© Picture Alliance
The Los Angeles Dodgers won the US Baseball League for the first time in 32 years. But the behavior of one of their stars dominates the headlines. Justin Turner is now under investigation.
For the first time since 1988, the Los Angeles Dodgers have won the US Baseball League again. But after the historic victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, everyone is only talking about Dodgers star Justin Turner and his behavior.
The man at third base was replaced during the decisive sixth game – because of a positive corona test. But after the final whistle, Turner returned to the field, shook hands, hugged and celebrated with the trophy. As you can see on the TV pictures, he was initially wearing a mask. But for the winning photo, he sat down between his teammates and removed the mouth and nose protection.
Justin Turner returned to the field for the team picture after being removed from Game 6 for testing positive for COVID-19
(via @MLBONFOX)pic.twitter.com/k7XNLy0A0L
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 28, 2020
Major League Baseball (MLB) is now investigating the 35-year-old Dodgers professional, as announced on Wednesday by the league boss Rob Manfred’s office. In a statement, the MLB said that Turner had been isolated “for the safety of those around him”. But after the victory of his team, he disregarded the “agreed protocols and instructions”. “Turner’s decision to leave the isolation and enter the field was wrong and endangered everyone he came into contact with,” it says.
Justin Turner initially stayed in the cabin
As reported by several US media, the players had been tested for the novel corona virus in the run-up to the sixth final game. Turner’s positive test was received late in the game. It was not until the eighth inning that the Dodgers player was substituted. At first he had adhered to the quarantine imposed on him, tweeted: “Thanks to everyone who got in touch. I feel great, have no symptoms at all. I just went through every emotion you can imagine. Can’t believe that I can’t be out there to party with my boys. So proud of this team and incredibly happy for the city of LA. ” Shortly afterwards he was seen in the field.
Dodger’s President Andrew Friedman told reporters, according to CNN, “I don’t think anyone could have stopped him from going out into the field.” According to him, Turner was very careful and only approached people “with whom he had already been in contact”. However, according to Friedman, he did not watch him all the time during the celebrations.
Thanks to everyone reaching out! I feel great, no symptoms at all. Just experienced every emotion you can possibly imagine. Can’t believe I couldn’t be out there to celebrate with my guys! So proud of this team & unbelievably happy for the City of LA#WorldSeriesChamps
— Justin Turner (@redturn2) October 28, 2020
Turner is the first Covid-19 case in the US baseball league, according to US media. In the course of the corona pandemic, all MLB teams were divided into their own quarantine zones and had played the season in neutral stadiums in order to keep travel routes short and the risk of infection low. The final was held in Arlington, Texas.
The corona pandemic has hit no country harder than the USA. Almost nine million people were infected with the virus there in the past few months, around 230,000 of whom died.
Sources:National Public Radio / CNN / NBC News
