Justin Turner is a professional baseball player who has spent over a decade in the Major Leagues. Throughout his career, Turner has made a name for himself as a reliable and versatile infielder, capable of playing multiple positions with skill and precision.
As a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, he helped lead the team to several successful seasons, including a World Series championship in 2020.
But despite his many achievements, some fans may wonder: has Justin Turner ever been an MLB All-Star? In this blog post, we’ll explore Turner’s career and answer that question in detail.
We’ll also take a closer look at the MLB All-Star Game, how players are selected, and what it means to be an All-Star in professional baseball.
What is the Mlb All-star Game?
Brief History of the Game
The MLB All-Star Game is an annual exhibition game that brings together the best players from the National League (NL) and the American League (AL).
The first All-Star Game was played in 1933 at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois, and has been held every year since, with the exception of 1945 due to World War II. The game is typically held in mid-July, and it serves as a midway point in the regular season.
Purpose of the Game
The primary purpose of the MLB All-Star Game is to showcase the best players in the league, giving fans the opportunity to see them compete together on the same field.
The game also serves as a way to celebrate baseball and its history, bringing together players from different teams and regions to compete in a friendly and competitive environment.
Additionally, the All-Star Game has become a major television event, drawing in millions of viewers from around the world.
Selection Process
The selection process for the All-Star Game involves a combination of player voting, fan voting, and manager selection. Fans are given the opportunity to vote for their favorite players online or at ballparks, while players and managers submit their own ballots as well.
The top vote-getters in each league are then selected as starters for the game, while the managers have the discretion to choose the remaining players for the roster.
This selection process ensures that the most deserving players are recognized and that fans have a say in who gets to play in the game.
Justin Turner’s Career
Justin Turner began his professional baseball career in 2006 when he was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 7th round of the MLB draft.
He spent the early years of his career bouncing around between different teams, including the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Mets. It wasn’t until he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2014 that he began to establish himself as a star player.
His All-star Selection in 2017
In 2017, Justin Turner had a breakout season with the Dodgers, hitting .322 with 21 home runs and 71 RBIs. His performance earned him his first All-Star selection, where he went 0-2 with a walk in the game.
Turner’s selection was well-deserved, as he had become one of the most reliable hitters on the Dodgers’ roster and a key player in their lineup.
Other Notable Accomplishments
In addition to his All-Star selection, Justin Turner has achieved several other notable accomplishments throughout his career.
He has won a Gold Glove Award for his defensive prowess at third base, as well as a Silver Slugger Award for his offensive contributions.
He has also been a key player in the Dodgers’ success in recent years, helping them reach the World Series in 2017 and 2018, and winning the championship in 2020.
Off the field, Turner is known for his charitable work and involvement in the community, making him a well-respected and beloved player among fans and teammates alike.
Criteria for All-star Selection
Player Statistics
One of the primary criteria for All-Star selection is a player’s performance on the field. Statistics such as batting average, home runs, RBIs, and pitching statistics are all taken into account when selecting All-Stars.
This ensures that the best and most deserving players are recognized for their contributions to their team and the league as a whole.
Fan Voting
Another important factor in the selection process is fan voting. Fans are given the opportunity to vote for their favorite players online or at ballparks, and the players with the most votes in each position are selected as starters for the game.
Fan voting ensures that the players who are most popular and have the strongest fan base are recognized and given the opportunity to play in the All-Star Game.
Manager Selection
Finally, managers of the respective leagues have the discretion to select the remaining players for the roster.
This allows them to select players who may not have been recognized through fan voting or statistical performance but who they believe deserve to be recognized for their contributions to the league.
Managers also have the ability to select pitchers who may not have the same statistics as other players but who they believe will be valuable in the All-Star Game.
Manager selection ensures that the most deserving players are recognized and given the opportunity to play in the game.
All-star Snubs
An All-Star snub is when a player who many believe should have been selected for the All-Star Game is not chosen. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including strong competition at their position, injuries, or lack of recognition from fans or managers.
All-Star snubs are a common topic of discussion among fans and players, and can sometimes cause controversy or disappointment.
Justin Turner’s Potential Snubs
While Justin Turner was selected for the All-Star Game in 2017, there have been several seasons throughout his career where he could have potentially been snubbed. For example, in 2016 he hit .275 with 27 home runs and 90 RBIs, but was not selected for the game.
Similarly, in 2018 he hit .312 with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs in just 78 games due to injury, but was not chosen for the game.
Other Players Who Were Snubbed
There have been many other players throughout MLB history who have been snubbed from the All-Star Game despite strong performances.
One notable example is New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, who was not selected for the game in 2018 despite hitting .285 with 26 home runs and 61 RBIs in the first half of the season.
Other examples include pitchers Max Scherzer and Zack Greinke, who have both been left off All-Star rosters despite having strong statistical performances in their careers.
All-Star snubs can be a source of frustration for players and fans alike, but ultimately the selection process is designed to recognize the best and most deserving players in the league.
Here is a Table I Created Called “Justin Turner’s All-star Game Selections and Snubs”:
| Year | Justin Turner’s Stats | All-Star Selection? | Potential Snub Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | .322 AVG, 21 HR, 71 RBI | Yes | N/A |
| 2016 | .275 AVG, 27 HR, 90 RBI | No | Strong competition at 3B |
| 2018 | .312 AVG, 14 HR, 52 RBI | No | Injury limited games played |
| 2019 | .290 AVG, 27 HR, 67 RBI | No | Strong competition at 3B |
| 2021 | .265 AVG, 27 HR, 72 RBI | No | Slow start to the season |
This table summarizes Justin Turner’s career statistics and All-Star Game selections, as well as potential reasons for any snubs he may have experienced. It shows that he was selected for the game in 2017, but was potentially snubbed in other seasons due to strong competition at third base or injuries limiting his games played.
FAQs
Can a player be selected for the All-Star Game if they are not having a great statistical season?
Yes, managers can select players who they believe will be valuable in the All-Star Game, even if their statistics may not be as strong as other players.
Can a player be selected for the All-Star Game multiple times in one season?
No, each player is only selected once per season for the All-Star Game.
Can a player be selected for the All-Star Game if they are injured?
Yes, injured players can still be selected for the All-Star Game if they are expected to be healthy by the time the game takes place. However, if a player is unable to participate due to injury, they will be replaced on the roster.
Can a player be selected for the All-Star Game if they are not on the ballot?
Yes, managers have the ability to select players who are not on the ballot for the All-Star Game.
Can a player be snubbed from the All-Star Game multiple times in their career?
Yes, there have been several players throughout MLB history who have been snubbed from the All-Star Game multiple times in their careers, despite strong statistical performances.
Conclusion
The MLB All-Star Game is an annual event that recognizes the best players in the league for their outstanding performances on the field.
The selection process involves a combination of statistical performance, fan voting, and manager selection. Despite this process, there are often players who are snubbed from the All-Star Game, including Justin Turner in some seasons.
Nevertheless, the game remains an exciting event for fans and players alike, and serves as a showcase of the league’s top talent.
