Minutes after the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched their first World Series title since 1988 on Tuesday night, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said that Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner had tested positive for COVID-19.
During the game, MLB received Turner’s test results from Monday and then ran Tuesday’s sample to verify. The 35-year-old was removed from the game once the league had the result.
Turner was replaced at third base to begin the eighth inning and there had initially been no reason given for his departure.
He was not on the field when the post-game celebrations ensued but later came out to join teammates. Turner lifted the trophy, hugged teammates and posed for photos, but didn’t keep a mask on the entire time.
In his post-game press conference, Dodgers president Andrew Friedman defended Turner partaking in celebrations and claimed the player had taken appropriate precautions.
Friedman said, “He wanted to come out and take a picture with the trophy. I can’t overstate what he’s meant to us.
“Him being a free agent, I don’t think anyone was going to stop him from going out. I think he was mindful of other people, especially other people he hadn’t been around.”
