Justin Turner sets painful Los Angeles Dodgers record

Justin Turner set a record with the Los Angeles Dodgers last night, even if it is not the kind of record anyone dreams of setting.

During the sixth inning of Tuesday’s matchup against the San Diego Padres, Justin Turner came up to bat. It was not a particularly notable moment, there were two outs, and the Los Angeles Dodgers were trailing by two runs. Turner ended the plate appearance by getting hit by Dinelson Lamet’s first pitch, the second time he has been hit this season.

But this time, Turner being hit by a pitch was worthy of attention. He set a new Dodgers record for times being hit by a pitch in his tenure with the team. Turner asked for the ball as well, understanding the history of the moment.

In that plate appearance, he broke the franchise record that had been held by Hall of Famer Zack Wheat. While it took Wheat 9731 plate appearances to be hit by a pitch 73 times, Turner set the new mark with just 2577 plate appearances in a Dodgers uniform.

If Turner was going to set that record, it would likely have had to happen this year. He is slated to enter free agency at the end of the year as his four year contract is set to expire. While Turner has stated his desire to remain with the franchise, he will be 36 years old next season. The Dodgers may not have an interest in spending that money on an aging veteran.

Should these be his final months with the Dodgers, he has had an impressive run. Since he signed as a free agent prior to the 2014 season, he has emerged as one of the better third basemen in the game. He has produced an impressive .301/.380/.504 batting line with 112 homers and 172 doubles in his time in Los Angeles, surprising numbers for someone who was essentially signed off the scrap heap.

No matter what the future holds, Justin Turner has at least found his way into the Los Angeles Dodgers record books. It may have hurt a bit to get there, but he now has a place amongst the Dodgers’ immortals.