Justin Turner earns his big Cubs moment as the team leader delivers a walk-off homer

New York Times

21 hours ago

CHICAGO — As Justin Turner approached and rounded third base, Quentin Berry gestured with his hands as if he were stroking his nonexistent beard. Despite still having a shock of red hair on his face, Turner called it the 'old gray-beard sign,' poking fun at the veteran's advanced-for-baseball age.
Turner's walk-off home run was typical of what he's done this season. No, it hasn't been one of the best offensive seasons for the 40-year-old veteran. But what he's done this summer is pick up everyone around him whenever they need it. On this day, he did so on the field by saving Daniel Palencia, who thanked the veteran after he touched home plate with a big bear hug amid a Sunday celebration in the Chicago Cubs' much-needed 5-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
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Not long before, Palencia had lost the team's one-run lead, a rare blown save for the dominant closer. But after Dansby Swanson reached to start the ninth on an error, Turner stepped in to pinch hit for Michael Busch and drove the first pitch he saw into the left-center bleachers to send the fans home happy.
'He's been so good for us all year long,' Turner said of Palencia. 'I'll take the ball in his hands in the ninth inning with a lead any day of the week. Happy to be able to pick him up. He's going to be big for us down the stretch. Hopefully, he keeps going out there and attacking.'
Unless this suddenly becomes a trend, Palencia isn't an issue for the Cubs. Their high-leverage relievers might not have had the best weekend, but they've largely been brilliant all season long.
For Turner, taking the spotlight off others, like he made sure to do for Palencia on this day, is a rare occurrence for him this summer. He's been adjusting to a new part-time role for much of the year. But in doing so, he's gracefully accepted a behind-the-scenes job of team leader and quietly helped others stand out.
That he's been so excellent in that space could be seen by the exuberance with which his teammates celebrated after his game-winning homer. As the ball landed in the bleachers, the entire team poured out of the dugout and surrounded home plate, awaiting a team favorite to make sure he felt the love.
'Justin's just so engaged in the game despite limited opportunities,' manager Craig Counsell said. 'He's so engaged in other people's success. So when that player has success, it just means a little bit more. That's probably what you saw.'
right on time, @redturn2. 😌 pic.twitter.com/UHjA2jQVY6
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 3, 2025
Turner's overall numbers aren't pretty. He was brought to Chicago to be a bench bat and hit lefties. In those situations when he's facing a southpaw, like he did Sunday, he's often come through. Turner was told by Counsell that at-bats would be limited for him. But after initially balking at the idea, he embraced it and came to Chicago with hopes of winning a championship.
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'What a true pro that guy is,' Swanson said. 'For a guy that has handled everything this year so gracefully, been a part of this team and in so many ways other than just on the field, it's so cool to celebrate a moment like that with him.'
Turner is on pace to have 216 plate appearances this season. That would be his fewest since 2013 when he was a part-time player with the New York Mets. It's been over a decade of regular playing time for Turner. Over that time, he established himself as one of the more feared and consistent bats in the game.
So adjusting to a bench role has to be tough, right?
'It's tough for everyone in those roles around the league,' Turner said. 'That's no excuse. You gotta put your work in every day and be prepared. When they call your name, be ready to go.'
Making excuses doesn't seem to be part of Turner's DNA. Some of the best in the game, like former Mets third baseman David Wright, and Adam Jones, the former Orioles great who was in Chicago and talking to players on the field before Sunday's game, mentored him in his early years. He's taken those lessons and is trying to pass them on to the next generation as his career winds down.
'So many guys had an impact on me and taken me under their wing and helped me become who I am today,' Turner said. 'That's what I want to do for the guys in here. Help them become as good as they can possibly be and go win championships.'
Turner is there off the field to plan team dinners or group activities. He's on the team bus, making sure the group is having fun and feeling connected. At the ballpark, when he's not playing, he's in a teammate's ear, passing along words of wisdom, perhaps a quiet pat on the back or a supportive hand on the shoulder.
'I think it's fun to see the joy he has to be here every day,' Swanson said. 'He enjoys being a part of a Major League Baseball team. Being in this room is such a special thing, and he's never taken it for granted. One of the first people here, one of the last to leave. Just a baseball lifer.'
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Swanson mentioned all the big hits he remembered Turner getting against him earlier in his career. This one, Swanson said, felt good to be on the right side of. But surprisingly enough, Turner had never hit a walk-off home run in his career. Not in the regular season at least.
Cubs fans will surely remember the one other time it occurred. With the Los Angeles Dodgers up 1-0 in the NLCS and Game 2 knotted at two apiece, Turner stepped to the plate in the ninth with two down and two on and launched a game-winning three-run shot off John Lackey to give the Dodgers a huge victory. This time, his big hit came in favor of the Cubs.
'It was nice to have the Cubs fans cheer for me,' Turner said. 'It was pretty special to do it here in front of these fans. They've been so great all year. They show up and support us. They're loud, and we feel their energy. That's a special one that I'll never forget.'