Dodgers: The Biggest Change In Justin Turner’s Career

Have you ever wondered what exactly morphed Justin Turner from a .260 ordinary hitter into a perennial .300 bat that strikes fear in the heart of the opposition? Now, Turner has given us a glimpse to the answer. Turner joined AM570 to talk through some of the changes he’s undergone as a professional big league hitter with David Vassegh.

The biggest secret to the sauce? The leg-kick of course. Turner described some of the changes in his approach, such as the signature leg kick when he hits.

When asked if it was the biggest change in his career:

Yes and no. I’ve always hit with a leg kick but I never understood what I was doing with it and it was always kind of a timing thing for me to get my timing down. Once I learned how to leg kick and get my body in a good position, that is kind of when things kind of took off.

Furthermore, Vassegh asked Turner how his peers around baseball approach hitting.

Everyone is looking for that magic pill that fixes everything. Hitting is not like that. Something you have to go in every day and make small tweaks and adjustments. There’s not one swing that will turn you into an MVP. Things happen you get sore, your knees a little banged up, you are facing a guy with a sinker ball guy, slider guy and a guy with a curve ball. Hitting is way too hard to figure out one swing.

Finally, Turner was asked something with some color. When asked which NFL team he’s pulling for in the playoffs this weekend, the answer was simple. The California boy likes the Chargers over the Patriots simply because they’re the hot team.

Final Thoughts

Entering his age-34 season, Turner shows no signs of slowing down. Inevitably, this will one day happen. However, Turner is to be enjoyed like a fine wine. Los Angeles is so lucky to call him their own. As the consummate professional and clubhouse leader, Turner will seek to bring the Dodgers a title before the sun sets on his career.