Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto was seen at Dodgers Stadium sporting a Nationals jersey of former teammate Trea Turner, who now plays for LA.
The Dodgers shocked the MLB world earlier this season with a bold blockbuster trade, acquiring pitcher Max Scherzer and shortstop Trea Turner in exchange for four promising minor leaguers.
The 2020 World Series winners needed to stay competitive after losing 15 of 20 games early on, and this trade did it for them. Scherzer and Turner changed the tune of their season, propelling them to 106-56 — a single win behind a historic San Francisco Giants team.
But before Turner was the shortstop in the NL Wild Card Game, he was the shortstop for the Washington Nationals. Turner “thought he would stay there for life as their franchise shortstop,” according to The Athletic, and it seems the love for him in Washington still lives on.
Former teammate Juan Soto showed up to support Turner in the playoff game, but with a twist: he was wearing Turner’s Nationals jersey, not his Dodgers one.
Forever a National: Juan Soto supports Trea Turner
The critical Turner acquisition came right at the trade deadline, when Turner and Scherzer were sent to Los Angeles on July 30. Exactly one month earlier, Turner made MLB history by hitting his third career cycle, tying for the most career cycles.
Turner has been renowned for his speed and batting ability, as well as how the Nationals have developed him into one of the best shortstops in the league.
The Dodgers traded a promising future for an even more promising present, as Turner and Sherzer power the Dodgers through a successive playoff appearance.
“Hopefully,” Turner said with a smile as the season wound down, “it’s a long month.”
Whether the Dodgers continue in this Series or not, Juan Soto is sure to support his former teammate for life, even if he is a Los Angeles Dodger.