In case you missed our first version of Dodger Greats, Then and Now, right here’s the drill: We’re looking at Dodger heroes previous and current, only for kicks, and possibly studying a bit of one thing about how the sport has modified within the course of. Right this moment, we’re testing Ron Cey and Justin Turner (because of Steve for the suggestion!)
Third Base: Justin Turner and Ron Cey
Ron Cey referred to as the 1977 Dodgers probably the most gifted group he ever performed with, and for good motive. That group was the primary of consecutive Nationwide-League pennant winners for then-manager Tommy Lasorda, thanks partly to some glorious pitching and probably the most profitable infield in MLB historical past (consisting of Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Invoice Russell, and Cey).
In that yr, Cey was 29 and in his seventh MLB season. Justin Turner, in the meantime, was 37 in 2022, his 14th season. Cey performed in 153 video games, Turner performed in 128, and each referred to as Dodger Stadium their house turf. It’s value noting as nicely that Turner cut up his time this season between third base and designated hitter, however extra on that after we get to protection.
On Offense
Although Turner trailed Cey in plate appearances of their respective seasons — 532 in comparison with 669 — each batters managed an identical variety of hits, with 130 complete for Turner and 136 for Cey. And whereas Turner hit 36 doubles to Cey’s 22, his 13 homers have been blown out of the water by Cey’s 30. In reality, Cey was a part of the primary 30-homer foursome in MLB historical past, alongside teammates Steve Garvey, Dusty Baker, and Reggie Smith.
A lot of those third basemen’s stats are pretty related throughout the board, although Turner does have the upper batting common on the season (.278 in comparison with .241) and Cey managed to attract almost double Turner’s variety of walks.
Ron Cey vs. Justin Turner at Bat
| Rk | Identify | Yr | Age | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | TB | GDP | HBP | SH | SF | IBB | OPS+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rk | Identify | Yr | Age | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | TB | GDP | HBP | SH | SF | IBB | OPS+ |
| 1 | Ron Cey | 1977 | 29 | 153 | 669 | 564 | 77 | 136 | 22 | 3 | 30 | 110 | 3 | 4 | 93 | 106 | 0.241 | 0.347 | 0.45 | 0.797 | 254 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 114 |
| 2 | Justin Turner | 2022 | 37 | 128 | 532 | 468 | 61 | 130 | 36 | 0 | 13 | 81 | 3 | 0 | 50 | 89 | 0.278 | 0.35 | 0.438 | 0.788 | 205 | 13 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 116 |
On Protection
That is the place issues get sticky. Of his 128 complete video games, Turner solely performed 66 at third base, showing in the remainder as DH. Cey, in the meantime, performed all 153 of his video games on the bag. We are able to nonetheless get some fascinating metrics by taking a look at stats on a per-game foundation, although. For instance, Cey turned about one double play each 5 video games, whereas Turner was barely higher with one each 4. Then there’s vary issue (putouts + assists), or what number of outs you may count on a participant to assist get per recreation. Cey clocked in at 3.16 for his season, whereas Turner hit 2.59
Ron Cey vs. Justin Turner on Protection
| Identify | Yr | Age | Tm | Pos | Lg | G | GS | CG | Inn | Ch | PO | A | E | DP | Fld% | Rtot | Rtot/yr | RF/9 | RF/G | lgFld% | lgRF9 | lgRFG | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identify | Yr | Age | Tm | Pos | Lg | G | GS | CG | Inn | Ch | PO | A | E | DP | Fld% | Rtot | Rtot/yr | RF/9 | RF/G | lgFld% | lgRF9 | lgRFG | Awards |
| Ron Cey | 1977 | 29 | LAD | 3B | NL | 153 | 153 | 137 | 1352.2 | 502 | 138 | 346 | 18 | 29 | 0.964 | 4 | 3 | 3.22 | 3.16 | 0.956 | 2.98 | 2.98 | AS,MVP-8 |
| Justin Turner | 2022 | 37 | LAD | 3B | NL | 66 | 66 | 59 | 574.1 | 178 | 33 | 138 | 7 | 16 | 0.961 | 8 | 1 | 16 | 2 | 2.68 | 2.59 | 0.961 | 2.7 |
Awards and Honors
Cey completed eighth in MVP voting and was chosen to the All-Star Recreation in 1977. Turner didn’t safe any playing-related awards this yr, however he was named the 2022 Roberto Clemente Award recipient after 5 profession nominations in earlier seasons. The celebrated award honors a participant who “finest represents the sport of baseball via extraordinary character, neighborhood involvement, philanthropy and optimistic contributions, each on and off the sector.”
