Behind-the-scenes leader moves center stage as Turner hits walk-off blast

CHICAGO – As Justin Turner turned the corner to head to home plate, Cubs third-base coach Quintin Berry grinned and ran a hand across his chin, pretending to stroke a beard. The veteran Turner smiled as he trotted by, tossing his helmet to the sky as he jumped into a mob that swiftly encircled him.

For much of this season, Turner has embraced his role as a leader behind the scenes and a hired bat for sporadic, high-leverage moments. He has spent the past several months being in the corner for everyone around him, doing what he can to keep things loose and offer insight and advice.

And on Sunday afternoon, when Turner launched a baseball into a sea of crazed fans in Wrigley Field’s bleachers, delivering a 5-3 walk-off win over the Orioles for a team in the thick of a playoff chase, it was time for his teammates to celebrate him.

“He’s so engaged in other peoples’ success,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “So when that player has success, it just means a little bit more.”

Water flew out of the bouncing pack of players as Turner absorbed the friendly jabs and his jersey withstood the hands pulling at it. When the scene at home plate began to break apart, Cubs closer Daniel Palencia found Turner, wrapped his arms around the veteran infielder and hoisted him off his feet.

In the top of the ninth inning, Palencia surrendered a run to allow Baltimore to pull the game into a 3-3 deadlock. It was the first earned run relinquished by the hard-throwing righty since June 21, and it came at a time when Chicago’s lineup has been weathering a lull. Turner rendered that blown save moot with the first regular-season walk-off homer of his career.

Turned was asked what Palencia said during that violent, celebratory hug.

“He didn’t have to say anything,” Turner said. “He’s been so good for us all year long. I’ll take the ball in his hand in the ninth inning with a lead any day of the week. I’m happy to be able to pick him up. He’s going to be big for us down the stretch.”

That response was typical of the 40-year-old Turner, who has embraced a teammates-first approach to this 17th season in his impressive career. His reputation along those lines made him an attractive addition for the Cubs over the offseason, but the ballclub did not have a regular job to offer him as part of the one-year contract.

While Turner weighed his options, he kept returning to his desire to suit up for a team that could reach the October stage. He had played in the postseason in nine of his past 16 seasons, appearing in 19 playoff series and three World Series and picking up one ring as a member of the Dodgers in 2020.

Thinking back to how players like Adam Jones, David Wright, José Reyes, Ty Wigginton and others helped him as a younger player, Turner believed he could make a difference for the Cubs, even in a limited role.

“I want to win a championship,” Turner said. “So many guys have had an impact on me and have taken me under their wing and helped me become who I am today. That’s what I want to do for the guys in here.”

Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson said Turner has contributed in multiple ways.

Turner has organized team dinners and gatherings. He has been an entertaining character on bus rides. The veteran has pitched in with game-planning with the Cubs’ coaches and sat down with teammates to discuss particular at-bats. In the batting cage, in the dugout, in the clubhouse, Turner has been a voice and resource.

“That’s why he’s been a great player for a long time – he commits,” Counsell said. “And he’s committed 100% to that, to this role, to helping the team win.”

In the ninth, Swanson hustled up the first-base line on a grounder to third, reaching safely via a throwing error. That set the stage for Turner, who came off the bench as a pinch-hitter and crushed a first-pitch fastball from Keegan Akin a few rows into the bleachers in left-center field.

Turner’s only other walk-off homer? A three-run shot to beat the Cubs in Game 2 of the 2017 National League Championship Series.

“It was nice to have the Cubs fans cheer for me for this one,” Turner said with a smile. “It was pretty special.”

It was a great moment for Turner’s teammates, too.

“Man, what a true pro that guy is,” Swanson said. “For a guy that has just handled everything this year just so gracefully and been a part of this team in so many ways other than just on the field, it’s so cool to be able to celebrate a moment like that with him.”