The New York Yankees recently gave Aaron Judge a large 9-year, $360 million contract and appointed him ‘captain’. There is no disagreement that Judge, who has risen to the position of the Yankees official leader after 9 years since Derek Jeter in 2014, suits the captain in all respects, including skill, age, popularity, and leadership.
Often compared to the Yankees in history and tradition, the Los Angeles Dodgers have had an official captain for over 40 years. It is confirmed that Davey Lops was last seen wearing the captain’s armband in the late 1970s. After that, there is no data about the Dodgers captain.
Lobs was active as a Dodgers second baseman from 1972 to 1981, winning four All-Stars and one Gold Glove. At that time, first baseman Steve Garvey, second baseman Robs, third baseman Ron Say, and shortstop Bill Russell enjoyed a golden age by working together in the Dodgers infield for 10 years.
Even though the Dodgers did not have an official captain, there was a leader who showed off his bold presence at important times. A representative player is Kirk Gibson, who hit the walk-off home run in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series. During the recent 10-year postseason run, the leader was Justin Turner.
Turner isn’t a Dodgers-born and raised franchise player. After being drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in 2006, he made his major league debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 2009.
After being released as a non-tender by the Mets at the end of 2013 and signing a minor league contract with the Dodgers, Turner quickly established himself as a starting third baseman and developed into a superstar. He is a person who has earned the respect of his teammates as the leader of the Dodgers club house with his unique outgoing personality and fighting spirit. 메이저놀이터
Turner qualified as a free agent this offseason, but the Dodgers, who declared fiscal austerity, did not hold on. Turner signed a two-year, $21.7 million contract with the Boston Red Sox. Parting with Turner left one homework for the Dodgers. It is about who the players should look to as the next leader.
Among the fielders, Chris Taylor (33), who has been with the Dodgers the longest, is considered the next leader. Taylor, who looks both in and outfield, is in his ninth year with the team this year after being traded to the Dodgers by the Seattle Mariners in June 2016.
In a recent interview with ‘Dodger Nation’, Taylor revealed his thoughts on the leader.
He said, “JT (Justin Turner), who stood up for us, has left. A few new players have joined, JD Martinez and Jason Heyward are respected players throughout the league.” “People know I’m not the type, but I’m the type to do what I think is right. I prepare in the right way and I hope it has a good influence on my young friends. Also, I think they will respect my way.” It is an aspiration to become a leader.
Martinez (36) and Hayward (34) are also qualified to be leaders in terms of their age, records, and personalities, but there may be limitations in the new team to harmoniously lead young players and high-nosed veterans such as Mookie Betts and Freddy Freeman. It is pointed out that there is
Taylor signed a four-year, $60 million free agent contract in December 2021, and will play for the Dodgers until 2025.