Latest news with #JustinTurner
New York Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Free-agent-to-be Kyle Tucker is making the most of his year with the Cubs
NEW YORK — With sparkling views of the city skyline and Lake Michigan, it looked like an image the Chicago Cubs would include in a recruiting presentation. Standing in the sunshine, Kyle Tucker posed on a boat with a group of teammates and Wrigley Field clubhouse workers. The All-Star outfielder posted the photo on his Instagram account, the social media version of throwing chum in the water. Advertisement That kind of reaction was not Tucker's intention, but Cubs fans are looking for any signs about his future. Whether cautiously optimistic or deeply skeptical, they want to know whether this big-market franchise is prepared to pay the projected No. 1 player in the next free-agent class. Tucker does not offer any clues about his preferences, letting his game do the talking. 'I'll see some comments every now and then,' Tucker said. 'I'm sure some people probably overanalyze and read between the lines a lot more than others, versus we just had a 'Team Boat Day.' It's fun. Fans have a good time with it.' Tucker credited Justin Turner for organizing the June 30 outing, which was open to all players, their families and the clubhouse staff. Winning always helps team chemistry, but the Cubs are a tight-knit group, a reflection of a low-key superstar who just got here and doesn't know where he will be next year. A post shared by Kyle Tucker (@ktuck_30) The countdown began last December when Jed Hoyer's front office acquired Tucker in a win-now trade with the Houston Astros. The deal closed only a few days after Juan Soto agreed to his record-setting, 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets. The megadeal approved by Mets owner Steve Cohen vividly illustrated the rising cost of doing business. Shortly after Opening Day, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. signed a 14-year, $500 million contract extension with the Toronto Blue Jays, forgoing free agency this coming offseason and further clearing a path for Tucker, who soon enough may find himself at the center of a bidding war. 'I don't necessarily worry about it too much,' Tucker said. 'If something happens, something happens. The only thing I can really control is just going out there and doing the best I can, putting up numbers and trying to help us win games. 'In my eyes, as long as I just try and do that, and do my part in helping us win, I feel like everything else just happens. I can't really control something that's not in my control or try to manipulate something or force something.' Tucker is a left-handed hitter who lets the game come to him, understanding how pitchers are trying to set him up and get him out. The little things matter to Tucker, a Gold Glove defender and a plus baserunner who competed in 15 playoff rounds with the Astros. Instead of presenting himself as a one-man corporation, Tucker wants to be one of the boys. 'It was just a fun little off day,' Tucker said. 'We were like, 'We should do a Boat Day every day.'' Standing 6-foot-4 and carrying a lanky, 220-pound frame, Tucker approaches home plate with a sense of calm, looking more like someone who just rolled out of bed than one of the sport's most dangerous sluggers. It's not quite sluggish, but Tucker's mannerisms and consistency give off a certain vibe. In many ways, it's an ideal personality for a great hitter. Performing at this level requires an ability to focus intently on each pitch and then try to forget what just happened. Advertisement It's all so smooth. 'Kyle has a way of making the game look easy,' Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. 'Nobody else is going to say it's easy, and Kyle's not going to say it's easy. But when you watch Kyle in the box, he just has this way of making what a lot of people think is the hardest thing in sports kind of look easy at times. 'Sometimes, that's frustrating to watch for hitters, honestly. But I also think his in-the-present approach is a really good lesson for all of our hitters.' Tucker sets an example by following his routine without telling others what to do. At a time when major-league coaching staffs are bigger than ever, and so many aspects of the game can be measured, Tucker likes to go by feel. He learned by watching all those accomplished hitters in Houston and seeing everything it took to win the 2022 World Series. He has already accumulated 418 plate appearances this season and played in 94 out of 95 games. He knows what he needs to do to clear his mind and feel loose. That could mean 10 swings off a tee and 15 flips rather than early rounds of batting practice, the usual pregame hitting program and extra sessions in the batting cage. As the Cubs have learned in recent years, having your process is great, but it has to come with results. 'I don't necessarily want to hit myself out of a good swing,' Tucker said. 'With anything, you can get to a point where you start overthinking stuff. Or you can start feeling something kind of different and you start overanalyzing it. Then you go up there with that kind of thought process, and it's a little all over the place and you can't really lock in. 'For the most part, it's like the saying: 'Quality over quantity.'' Even around team officials, Tucker can come across as a little reserved, though still very pleasant. He has that same laid-back demeanor and a dry sense of humor during interviews with reporters. But if you could look into the clubhouse dining room after a game, you would see Tucker at a table surrounded by teammates. Advertisement 'Holding court,' Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd said. That dynamic was always hoped for, but not necessarily guaranteed when the Cubs traded away a potential Rookie of the Year (Cam Smith), an All-Star third baseman (Isaac Paredes) and a major-league pitcher (Hayden Wesneski, who's now recovering from Tommy John surgery). In giving up 14 potential years of club control over those players, the Cubs got one season to maximize Tucker's talents and make their pitch. The Cubs will enter the last day before the All-Star break in first place. After Sunday afternoon's game at Yankee Stadium, Tucker, Boyd and Pete Crow-Armstrong will travel to Atlanta for the All-Star week festivities. The Cubs won't dominate the event the way the future World Series champs did in 2016 — and the club has experienced some lulls recently — but the offseason plan is coming together with a mix of experienced players and young talent. Tucker's hot start helped give Crow-Armstrong more space to develop offensively near the bottom of the lineup. In watching the rhythm of Tucker's at-bats, Seiya Suzuki recognized how to be more aggressive. Boyd, who threw eight scoreless innings in Saturday's 5-2 win over the New York Yankees, carried the rotation in the absence of multiple starting pitchers and won't pitch in the All-Star Game so that he can preserve strength for the second half. All these elements of the club are connected. In their worst full month so far, the Cubs went 13-13 in June. 'What's special about Tuck is he makes everybody else better,' Boyd said. 'By the way he carries himself, by the way he goes about his business, there's something about having a guy that has no panic, no worry, at least outwardly. That brings a lot of calm and resolve to a team on a day-in, day-out basis. It's really special.' There have been no excuses from Tucker, no prolonged adjustment period after previously spending his entire career in one organization. The brutal hitting conditions at Wrigley Field earlier this season did not get in his head. Even when he's not the star of the game — Crow-Armstrong has delivered so many highlight-reel moments — Tucker's still quietly doing stuff to help the Cubs win a series and maintain momentum. The numbers across the board — a .282 batting average, 17 home runs, 22 stolen bases, 56 RBIs, 68 runs scored, a .384 on-base percentage and an .887 OPS — point to a player who seems immune to contract-year pressure. 'I don't really know what affects him in general,' Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson said. 'He just goes up there and takes care of business each and every day. There's also something to be said about the personality and confidence to — assimilate is not the right word — but be able to embed yourself in a team and want to be a part of the team and want to be a part of something bigger than yourself. Advertisement 'It just goes to show you what he's about in general. New team — and there's obviously the possibility that he only is one year with a team — but it doesn't change how he goes about any of his business.' For both sides, it probably makes the most business sense to see what the market will bear for an elite player who will be 29 years old next year. 'Not really,' Tucker said when asked if his thinking about free agency has evolved since he was traded to the Cubs seven months ago. But putting together the largest contract in franchise history would always require a leap of faith. Chicago's baseball operations department has verified Tucker's immense value and confirmed his easy-going manner in the clubhouse. The Ricketts family ownership group and the business side of the organization are seeing the reenergized crowds at Wrigley Field. For now, the bottom line is Tucker is having fun playing for a team he thinks can win the World Series this year. 'I'm not going to let any contract or money stuff kind of dictate what I do out on the field,' Tucker said. 'I'm going to go play, and steal bases, and hit and field and everything else, regardless of that. I'm just doing what I can out there. And the rest will take care of itself.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cubs Predicted to Make $6 Million Decision on Clubhouse Favorite Justin Turner
Cubs Predicted to Make $6 Million Decision on Clubhouse Favorite Justin Turner originally appeared on Athlon Sports. When the Chicago Cubs added Justin Turner in the offseason, the hope was for him to continue doing what he's done throughout much of his career, and that's swinging the bat at a very high level. Advertisement From the Cubs' perspective, there was certainly some risk in it, as Turner is getting up there in age, and he isn't exactly what he once was. It's unfair to suggest that he would be at this part of his career, but the Cubs should've understood that. As they look to improve at the deadline, some believe the Cubs will have to make some tough decisions. Zachary Rotman recently predicted that one of those decisions could come in the form of moving on from Turner. Chicago Cubs first baseman Justin Turner (3) celebrates while running the bases after hitting a homer in the third inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs, Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Great American Ball Park in Downtown Cincinnati. Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images "He's been somewhat decent against left-handed pitching, as he has a .675 OPS against southpaws, but even that mark is below league-average, especially for a platoon player," Rotman wrote. "If the Cubs don't want to play Busch against lefties, they must find a better option than Turner. It was fair to give him some leash, given his track record, but it's July. It's time for the Cubs to admit this offseason mistake and find a better fit." Advertisement Despite some of his struggles, multiple Cubs players have suggested that Turner has done a great job for them as a veteran in the clubhouse. Even if he struggles a bit offensively and doesn't bring much to the team, there's something to be said about somebody who's loved in the clubhouse. Now, that doesn't mean the Cubs will keep him, but it's something they have to consider over the next few weeks. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Chicago Cubs broadcast leaves viewers stunned as Justin Turner is seen engaging in lewd celebration
Chicago Cubs fans were stunned on Thursday night as their team's home broadcast showed Justin Turner engaging in an extremely lewd celebration. Turner, 40, did not appear in the game for Chicago but was dubbed the 'Fan of the Game' by Marquee Sports Network, as they showed a clip of him celebrating with outfielder Seiya Suzuki. But the veteran Turner's cheers were from from typical, as the infielder was actually seen wearing a pair of fake testicles as he jumped up and down. The 2020 World Series champion smiled wide as he pumped his arms in the air while wearing the bizarre item, and fans couldn't believe that Marquee aired the NSFW moment. 'I was like is the camera guy blind or did he do it on purpose,' one fan asked on X, including a laughing-crying emoji in their post. 'Broadcast got some balls to show that,' a second joked. Suzuki rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the bottom of the sixth inning 'For most men, it's the simple things,' a third added. And a fourth said: 'Did we just win it all?' According to the New York Post, broadcasters Boog Sciambi and Jim Deshaies went silent for about 30 seconds afterwards as they seemingly realized what had happened on the broadcast. Nonetheless, it was a positive night for the Cubs as they beat the Pirates 3-2 to move to 42-27 on the year. Turner, in his 17th MLB season, has played a reserve role for the red-hot Cubs this season, only appearing in 38 games. In 110 plate appearances, he's hitting .213 with 11 RBIs and one home run. The Cubs have three more games against Pittsburgh this weekend before they'll welcome the Brewers to town.
New York Post
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Justin Turner's ‘fake balls' turn into embarrassing Cubs TV segment
Justin Turner was letting it all hang loose on Thursday night. The veteran reserve who plays sparingly for the first-place Cubs was granted 'Fan of the Game' by their home broadcast partner, 'Marquee Sports Network,' but they didn't recognize that there was something a bit more testy going on with the scene. Turner was wearing fake testicles, which hung down and bounced around as he jumped with reactions from star outfielder Seiya Suzuki. Advertisement Justin Turner jumps around to celebrate for the Cubs. X 'It's you, Justin Turner. You are our fan of the game. Wooo,' broadcaster Boog Sciambi said during the ninth inning of the broadcast. The broadcast crew and commentators seemingly didn't know what was unfolding until Sciambi and Jim Deshaies went silent for about 30 seconds as reality hit them. Advertisement During the silence, Pirates second baseman Adam Frazier fouled off a pitch and recorded an out during the at-bat, as reliever Ryan Pressly mowed down Pittsburgh's offense. Barstool Sports personality Dan 'Big Cat' Katz reacted to the wild scene in real time on X. 'Those are fake balls right? No way Marquee showed real balls right? Those have to be fake balls. Either way this team is having fun and I love it!' Katz wrote. He later added, 'OK they're fake. Confirmed. [Cubs President of Business Operations] Crane Kenney should start selling fake balls at Wrigley so he can pay for Kyle Tucker.' Advertisement The Cubs went on to win 3-2, with Pressly getting his first save since April 13 after being relegated from the role. Cubs first baseman Justin Turner (3) smiles during warm ups prior to a game against the Colorado Rockies. Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images Turner has been mostly a cheerleader for the Cubs this season, starting just four games in the month of June. The former Met and Dodger is hitting .213 with one home run, as Michael Busch has claimed most of the starts at first base.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Cubs' Justin Turner goes viral for cheeky fake testicle joke caught on camera during Suzuki's home run celebration
Image Source: Getty On Thursday night, Chicago Cubs player Justin Turner made everyone laugh during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. The Cubs won 3-2, but Turner's silly joke in the dugout tunnel got all the attention. The 40-year-old infielder cheered for his teammate in a way that surprised fans. The moment was caught on camera and is now a big topic online. Turner's prank catches Marquee Sports Network off guard In the sixth inning, Seiya Suzuki hit a home run, putting the Cubs ahead 3-0 against the Pirates. Justin Turner, who wasn't playing, stood in the dugout tunnel jumping happily to support his teammate. But what made people laugh was a pair of fake testicles hanging from his belt as a funny prank to cheer up the team. The Marquee Sports Network, which shows Cubs games, played the clip in the ninth inning, calling Turner the 'Fan of the Game' without seeing the joke. Announcer Jon Sciambi shouted happily, but then the broadcast went quiet for 30 seconds, probably because they noticed the prank. Fans on X went wild, sharing posts about the funny mistake, making Turner's joke a huge hit online. This shows how Turner loves to keep the team smiling. His silly act, not meant for TV, is now a big baseball story. Also Read: Ben Brown's rotation future hangs in balance as Cubs ace prepares for comeback Veteran leadership shines beyond the field Justin Turner, in his 17th year in baseball, joined the Cubs in 2025 to help lead the team toward the playoffs. Though he's hitting only .169 this season, his work off the field is super important. Turner is great at bringing players together, hosting team dinners, and helping young stars like Matt Shaw. His prank during the Pirates game shows how he keeps the team happy and relaxed. Even after the TV mix-up, players like pitcher Ben Brown say Turner is an excellent teammate. The Cubs, with a 25-18 record, are doing well, and Turner's fun attitude helps a lot. This funny moment, though a bit embarrassing for the TV crew, proves why Turner is so loved. Fans are excited to see what other fun things he'll do at Wrigley Field.
