Boston Red Sox's Justin Turner hits an RBI double during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in Boston. Turner says it's hard to wrap your head around playing for an entire country, but he's looking forward to getting a chance with the Toronto Blue Jays. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Michael Dwyer
TORONTO – Justin Turner says it’s hard to wrap your head around playing for an entire country, but he’s looking forward to getting a chance with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Turner talked to reporters on a video call for his first comments since signing US$13 million, one-year contract with the Blue Jays.
He says he had a front-row view of the Blue Jays last season as a member of the division-rival Boston Red Sox, and he admired the team’s starting pitching.
He also said Toronto’s offence has a lot of talent despite some of its hitters having a “down year” in 2023.
The 39-year-old hit .276 with 23 homers and 96 runs batted in last season for the Red Sox.
The two-time all-star spent the previous nine seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, helping the team win a World Series title in 2020.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 2, 2024.
