27 October 2020
The Canadian Press
Fitting {finale|ending}: Dodgers win title, lose Turner to COVID-19 ARLINGTON, Texas– No dogpile, no champagne and a mask on {nearly|almost} every face– the Los Angeles Dodgers {celebrated|commemorated} their {first|very first} World Series title {since|because|considering that|given that} 1988 in {a manner|a way} {no one|nobody} {could|might} have {imagined|pictured|thought of|envisioned} prior to the coronavirus pandemic.They {started|began} the {party|celebration} without Justin Turner, too, after their red-headed star {received|got} {a positive|a favorable} COVID-19 test in the middle of their clinching victory.Turner was {removed|eliminated|gotten rid of} from Los Angeles’ 3-1 {victory|success|triumph} over the Tampa Bay Rays in {Game|Video Game} 6 on Tuesday night after {registering|signing up} {Major League|Big league} Baseball’s {first|very first} {positive|favorable} test in 59 days and wasn’t {initially|at first} on the field as the Dodgers {enjoyed|delighted in|took pleasure in} the spoils of a title {earned|made} {during|throughout} a most {unusual|uncommon} season.He {returned to|went back to} the diamond about an hour after the {game|video game}, hugging {longtime|long time} {teammate|colleague} Clayton Kershaw and sitting front-and-centre for {a team|a group} {photo|picture|image} {next to|beside} {manager|supervisor} Dave Roberts with his mask {pulled down|took down} under his bushy beard.”Thanks to {everyone|everybody} {reaching out|connecting}!,” Turner {said|stated} on Twitter. “I feel {great|fantastic|terrific|excellent}, no {symptoms|signs} at all. {Just|Simply} {experienced|skilled|knowledgeable} every {emotion|feeling} you can {possibly|potentially|perhaps} {imagine|picture|think of|envision}. Can’t {believe|think} I {couldn’t|could not} be out there to {celebrate|commemorate} with my {guys|men|people}! {So {proud of|happy with|pleased with} this {team|group} & & {unbelievably|incredibly|amazingly} {happy|pleased|delighted} for the City of LA.”{Major League|Big league} Baseball insulated post-season {teams|groups} in neutral-site bubbles after travelling them {across|throughout} the {country|nation} {during|throughout} {a shortened|a reduced} 60-game season.|{Proud|Happy} of this {team|group} & & {unbelievably|incredibly|amazingly} {happy|pleased|delighted} for the City of LA.”Major League Baseball insulated post-season {teams|groups} in neutral-site bubbles after travelling them {across|throughout} the {country|nation} {during|throughout} {a shortened|a reduced} 60-game season.} Turner was the {first|very first} {player|gamer} {since|because|considering that|given that} the playoffs {began|started} to be flagged for the coronavirus.MLB {received|got} Turner’s Monday sample from the Sports {Medicine|Medication} {Research|Research Study} and {Testing|Screening} {Laboratory|Lab} in Utah in the bottom of the {second|2nd} inning, when {lab|laboratory} president Dr. Daniel Eichner called deputy commissioner Dan Halem, who {was in|remained in} {New York|New york city}, {a person|an individual} {familiar with|knowledgeable about|acquainted with} the call {said|stated}, {speaking to|talking to|speaking with} The Associated Press on condition of {anonymity|privacy} {because|since|due to the fact that} {details|information} were not released.Eichner {told|informed} Halem the {result|outcome} was {inconclusive|undetermined}. MLB {receives|gets} {many|numerous|lots of} {inconclusive|undetermined} {results|outcomes}, so Halem {told|informed} Eichner to run Tuesday’s pregame sample from Turner. That {result|outcome} {came back|returned} {positive|favorable} in the {sixth|6th} inning, the {person|individual} said.Halem called Chris Young, MLB’s senior vice-president of baseball operations, who {was in|remained in} Manfred’s box at {Globe|World} Life Field, then called Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. Friedman {notified|informed|alerted} the dugout or clubhouse, and Turner was {removed|eliminated|gotten rid of} from the {game|video game} after the seventh inning.”It was {obviously|certainly|undoubtedly|clearly} {a really|a truly|an actually} {unfortunate|regrettable} endpoint of this {incredible|amazing|extraordinary|unbelievable} series and {definitely|certainly|absolutely} {affected|impacted} {some of|a few of} the {joy|delight|happiness|pleasure} of winning {just because|even if} of what JT {has|has actually} {meant|implied|indicated|suggested} to us,” Friedman said.When {asked about|inquired about} what {happened|occurred|took place} after the {game|video game}, Friedman {said|stated} Turner {wanted to|wished to} take {a picture|a photo|an image} with the {trophy|prize}. {He {stated|specified|mentioned} {several|a number of|numerous} times that those around Turner {had|had actually} {previously|formerly} {been in|remained in} close contact and {said|stated} the {team|group} would take another round of tests {before|prior to} {determining|identifying|figuring out} when to leave Texas.|When to leave Texas, he {stated|specified|mentioned} {several|a number of|numerous} times that those around Turner {had|had actually} {previously|formerly} been in close contact and {said|stated} the {team|group} would take another round of tests {before|prior to} {determining|identifying|figuring out}.}”Now the subsequent tests we’re going to take are {really|truly|actually} {important|essential|crucial},” Friedman said.The 35-year-old Turner {has|has actually} been a staple in the Dodgers’ lineup for {seven|7} of their {eight|8} {consecutive|successive} NL West titles. A late-blooming slugger who {helped|assisted} {reshape|improve} the {game|video game} by {succeeding|being successful|prospering} with an upper-cut swing, Turner is LA’s {career|profession} leader with 12 post-season {home runs|crowning achievement}, {including|consisting of} {a pair|a set} in this Series, in which he {hit|struck}.364 and {also|likewise} played {stellar|outstanding|excellent} defence.”It’s gut-wrenching,” World Series MVP Corey Seager {said|stated}. “If I {could|might} {switch|change} {places|locations} with him {right now|today}, I would. That’s {just|simply} {not right|wrong}.””We’re not {excluding|omitting} him from anything,” Betts said.Commissioner Rob Manfred {confirmed|verified|validated} Turner’s {positive|favorable} test {moments|minutes} after {presenting|providing} the World Series {trophy|prize} to Los Angeles– {a jarring|a disconcerting} {reminder|pointer|tip|suggestion} of all that’s been {different|various} in this season where the {perennially|continually} favoured Dodgers {finally|lastly} broke through.Betts, who {came to|concerned|pertained to} the Dodgers to make a World Series {difference|distinction}, had a mad dash to {home plate|home base} in the {sixth|6th} inning to put Los Angeles over the top.The end of {a frustrating|an aggravating|a discouraging} {championship|champion} {drought|dry spell} for LA– and {perhaps|possibly|maybe} {just|simply} the start for Betts and the Dodgers, whose seventh World Series title was their {sixth|6th} {since|because|considering that|given that} leaving Brooklyn to the West Coast in 1958.”I had {a crazy|an insane} {feeling|sensation} that {came to|concerned|pertained to} {fruition|fulfillment},” Roberts {said|stated}. “It’s {just|simply} {a special|an unique} group of {players|gamers}, {organization|company}, all that we{‘ve| have actually} {kind of|type of|sort of} {overcome|conquered|gotten rid of}.”Betts bolted from {third|3rd} for the {go-ahead|consent} {run on|operate on|work on} Seager’s infield grounder, then led off the {eighth|8th} with {a punctuating|a stressing} homer.”It was {absolutely|definitely} {phenomenal|incredible|remarkable|extraordinary|sensational}. This {team|group} was {incredible|amazing|extraordinary|unbelievable},” {said|stated} Seager, {also|likewise} the NLCS MVP who had franchise records with his {eight|8} homers and 20 RBIs this post-season. “We were {ready|prepared|all set} to go as {soon|quickly} as the bell was called. {Once it did, we kept rolling.|We kept rolling once it did.}”Kershaw was warming in the bullpen when Julio Urías {struck out|set out|started out} Willy Adames to end it and ran {alongside|together with|along with} {teammates|colleagues} to {celebrate|commemorate} in the infield, {later|later on} {joined|signed up with} by {family|household} who {had|had actually} {been in|remained in} the bubble with them in North Texas.Players were handed face masks as they {gathered|collected}, although {many of|a lot of|a number of|much of} their {embraces|accepts|welcomes} came mask-free even after Turner’s {positive|favorable} test.The Dodgers {had|had actually} played 5,014 {regular|routine} season {games|video games} and {were in|remained in} their 114th post-season {game|video game} {since|because|considering that|given that} Orel Hershiser {struck out|set out|started out} Oakland’s Tony Phillips for the {final|last} out of the World Series in 1988, the {same|exact same|very same} year Kershaw– the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner who won Games 1 and 5 of this Series– was born in {nearby|close-by|neighboring} Dallas.Los Angeles {had|had actually} {come up short|lost} {in the World|on the planet|worldwide} Series {twice|two times} in the previous {three|3} years. Betts was on the {other side|opposite} {two|2} years {ago|back|earlier} and homered in the clinching {Game|Video game} 5 for the Boston Red Sox, who {before|prior to} this season traded the 2018 AL MVP to the Dodgers. They {later|later on} {gave|provided|offered} him a $365 million, 12-year {deal|offer} that goes {until|up until|till} he turns 40 in 2032. Betts’ 3.2-second sprint was {just|simply} enough to beat the {throw|toss} by {first|very first} baseman Ji-Man Choi, {pushing|pressing} Los Angeles ahead 2-1 {moments|minutes} after Rays {manager|supervisor} Kevin {Cash|Money} pulled ace left-hander Blake Snell {despite|in spite of|regardless of} a dominant {performance|efficiency} over 5 1/3 innings.”I’m not {exactly|precisely} sure why,” Betts {said|stated} when {asked about|inquired about} the {move|relocation}. “I’m not going to ask any {questions|concerns}. He was pitching {a great|a fantastic|a terrific|an excellent} {game|video game}.”Snell {struck out|set out|started out} {nine|9}– {including|consisting of} the {first time|very first time} all season that Betts, Seager and Turner each {struck out|set out|started out} in their {first|very first} {two|2} at-bats. {{But|However} the 2018 AL Cy Young Award winner didn’t see the {top|leading} {three|3} batters in the Dodgers lineup {a third|a 3rd} time.|The 2018 AL Cy Young Award winner didn’t see the {top|leading} {three|3} batters in the Dodgers lineup {a third|a 3rd} time.}”The only {motive|intention} was the lineup the Dodgers {feature|function} is as {potent|powerful} as any {team|group} in the league,” Rays {manager|supervisor} Kevin {Cash|Money} {said|stated}. “Mookie {coming around|happening|occurring} for the {third|3rd} time through, I value that. I {totally|completely|absolutely} {respect|regard} and {understand|comprehend} the {questions|concerns} that {come with|include|feature} it. They’re {not easy|difficult|challenging|hard} {decisions|choices}.”The Dodgers leadoff {hitter|player} {had|had actually} a. 531 OPS {against|versus} lefties this season, compared to 1.061 versus right-handers. Randy Arozarena, the {powerful|effective} Tampa Bay {rookie|novice}, extended his post-season record with his 10th homer in the {first off|to begin with|first of all} {rookie|novice} right-hander Tony Gonsolin, the {first|very first} of {seven|7} Dodgers pitchers. The Rays {never|never ever} got another runner {past|previous} {second|2nd} base as LA’s bullpen {gave|provided|offered} reliever-reliant Tampa Bay a taste of its own {medicine|medication} while {allowing|enabling|permitting} {only|just} {two|2} hits and no {walks|strolls} over 7 1/3 innings.About 2 1/2 weeks after the Lakers won the NBA title while {finishing|completing} their season in the NBA bubble in Orlando, Florida, the Dodgers {gave|provided|offered} Los Angeles another {championship|champion} in this year when the {novel|unique} coronavirus pandemic {has|has actually} {delayed|postponed}, {shortened|reduced} and {moved around|moved|walked around} sports seasons.The MLB season didn’t {start|begin} {until|up until|till} late July and was abbreviated for the {shortest|quickest|fastest} {regular|routine} season {since|because|considering that|given that} 1878. And the {expanded|broadened} post-season, with 16 {teams|groups} making it {instead|rather} of 10, {almost|practically|nearly} went the {full|complete} distance.It ended when Urías got the last {two|2} out Tampa Bay batters on called {third|3rd} strikes, with catcher Austin Barnes {stuffing|packing} the last pitch in his back pocket. The Rays had 16 Ks and the Dodgers 11, the most combined strikeouts in a nine-inning World Series game.Chants of “M-V-P!, M-V-P!” broke out when Betts {hit|struck} his double in the {sixth|6th} off {reliever|reducer} Nick Anderson, who {allowed|enabled|permitted} runs in {seven|7} {consecutive|successive} relief {appearances|looks}, the longest streak in MLB post-season history.Those chants {got even|got back at} louder– even with the {a limited|a restricted|a minimal} crowd of 11,437– when Betts went deep on an 0-2 pitch by hard-throwing right-hander Pete Fairbanks.There were {plenty of|lots of|a lot of} fans in Dodgers blue at the {new|brand-new} $1.2 billion {home|house} of the Texas Rangers, the {stadium|arena} with the retractable {roof|roofing system|roofing} where they played 16 {games|video games} over {three|3} weeks. And the {roof|roofing system|roofing} was closed for the {final|last} one, with misty conditions and a game-time {temperature|temperature level} of 39 degrees outside.Los Angeles was {home|house} {team|group} for the {final|last} {game|video game} of the season, like in the 2017 World Series when the Houston Astros won {Game|Video game} 7 at Dodger {Stadium|Arena}, and {two|2} years ago {against|versus} the Red Sox.”This year {has|has actually} been {crazy|insane}, {but|however} no matter what, we’ll {look back on|reflect on|review} this and we’re World Series champs. To get to {say|state} that and get to {be part of|belong to|become part of} that, it’s so {special|unique} no matter what,” Kershaw {said|stated}. “The only thing that {may|might} have made it {better|much better} would be to be at Dodger {Stadium|Arena}.”___ AP Baseball {Writer|Author} Ronald Blum {contributed to|added to} this report. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsStephen Hawkins, The Associated Press
Source: ca.finance.yahoo.com