22
2011
Justin Turner Is A Money (Clutch) Player
An article by 
In tonight’s dramatic 8-6 comeback win for the Mets over the Cardinals, pinch hitter Justin Turner worked out a 10-pitch bases loaded walk to drive in the first run of the Mets’ six-run ninth inning.
SNY analyst Bobby Ojeda had this to say immediately following the game:
“Justin Turner is a money player. When the game is on the line and you need a clutch at-bat in a huge spot, there’s only one player on this team you want up in that situation and that’s Justin Turner. That’s what what makes Turner such a money player.”
“I hear some players on this team complaining about beiing tired and that it’s been a long season or whatever… that’s not Justin Turner. Turner loves being out there and I happen to know he’s got some aches and pains, but that doesn’t matter to him because he loves this game. He’s a fighter.”
Last week, I wrote about how clutch Justin Turner has been for the Mets this season and wrote:
I’d rather have Turner and his .270 average playing at second base over another player with a higher average and on-base percentage, that shrinks in pressure situations. We’ve had our share of those types over the years.
Sometimes, you just have to go beyond the statistical data, and look at a player’s swagger and fearlessness when the game is on the line. Good hitters are not really that difficult to find, but players as clutch as Turner are the special ones and the ones you keep.
That comment prompted some jeers and tweets from a few of the folks at Amazin Avenue, most of whom start sweating profusely whenever anyone mentions the word “clutch”. I think a lot them were probably reaching for the Tums when Bobby-O started pouring on the accolades for Turner’s continued clutchness tonight.
Even Terry Collins had this to say about Justin Turner in clutch situations while discuassing Turner’s walk-off double a couple of weeks ago:
“Of all the guys on the team Turner is probably the most disciplined in those situations. He just wants to put the ball in play and he doesn’t care where it goes.”
Of all the guys on the team? He said it, not me…
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73 and '00, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 42 | 30 | .583 | - |
| Phillies | 35 | 37 | .486 | 7.0 |
| Nationals | 34 | 36 | .486 | 7.0 |
| Mets | 27 | 40 | .403 | 12.5 |
| Marlins | 22 | 48 | .314 | 19.0 |
Last updated: 06/19/2013
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That was a devastating loss for the Cardinals. In some ways payback for the upset of the mets in the playoffs 4 yrs ago. I believe the Cards make the playoffs if they wom today now I dont think so. Horible loss for the birds and there franchise.
Great Met comeback. Oh by the way did you notice how “clutch” David Wright was in the top of the ninth? Read into this what you will. For me, he would be gone.
Amen Metfan. We’ll never get to the next level with Wright on this team.He has no guts or mental toughness.God forbid he hits a sac fly in that spot.The stat geeks just don’t get it.The guy sucks with the ame on the line.
Turner, Tejada, Murphy, Reyes, all guys Id rather see up with bases loaded instead of Wright.
Those idiots over at Amazin Avenue who don’t believe in clutch should all go lock themselves in a big car, in a garage, with the windows closed, and turn on car and try and see if Carbon Monoxide exists. Because you can’t taste, hear, feel, see, or smell carbon monoxide to prove it’s existence either. There’s only one way to find out.
The only problem with that is I don’t think any of them will be able to come back with the results.
Oh I forgot, give them all “I Heart David Wright T-shirts” to put on before they go.
Maybe the METS should petition the NL to allow Wright to swing a GUITAR when the game is on the line. That’s the only way that CHOKE ARTIST will come thru!
Why does Wright bat in the top of the order?
Why does Wright still wear a Met uniform? That’s the question you really shuld be asking.
Why all the d wright hate in a justin turner post?I wanted turner on the team since last year.He has been money, but it’s for one year.Wright was the best hitter in the franchise history till they moved him to this idiotic ballpark.Than he got beaned and suffered a broken back.Yeah, he stinks, get rid of him.I’d like to see one of you idiots get hit in the head with a 96 mph fastball and break a bone in your back and play mlb at the exact same level.Oops i forgot, the one full year without injuries in the last 3 years, he had 29 homers and 103 rbi’s.He’s definitely the reason we stink.
Dude we could be talking about a dark cloud in the sky and someone would bring David Wright into it and blame him for the impending storm!
Gary, the people who hate on Wright are classic frontrunner, media-influenced people who accept the stuff the media feeds them about Wright, then they get this upset when Wright doesn’t come through. They want him to be this perfect, do no wrong golden boy because that’s what the media wants them to think, and they fall for it like sheep. The majority of fans who watch the games know Wright for who and what he is and accept it.
Yes Joe!
I love it when you and I talk about things like Clutch and Fight and people try to laugh us off yet tonites game was a CLASSIC example of CLUTCH performance and NEVER QUIT attitude!
They could have just rolled over when they were down 5 runs and got on the plane early…
They didn’t! They FOUGHT BACK!
And that is the one area of improvement on this team that doesn’t show up in the stat sheet!
i mean, what else can i say about david wright that i haven’t actually said for the past 5 years!??!? the man is the worst, is gotten to the point that angel pagan is getting walk to pitch to david wright now, i know ppl will come with the same lame as-s excuse about how pagan needed to be walked blah blah blah, let me tell you something, this man is a pure choker, and no matter whether the mets are in contention for the playoffs or out of it, he just doesn’t come tru, of course, gary cohen play it off as if it was nothing, but think about this, the mets had a chance to BREAK THE HEART of the cards yest, david wright is at the plate, bases loaded, so even though we’re out of it we can still be “spoilers”, then what happened? the man strikes out!! i don’t give a f*** if daniel murphy plays 3rd baseman next year, this guy gottta go, he’s an excuse maker, good looking, well spoken guy who will never amount to anything as a mets player, he needed superstars or solid players behind and in front of him to actually produce, if a trade for a pitcher comes up, i’ll drive this guy myself to the city of destination. as a met, we all saw this year how UNCLUTCH/CHOKER he is, and is time for me who were one ofthe fews to actually called this guy on to get an apology from the saberheads in this blog. all you david wright’s apologist and excuse makers need for one realize this guy is not what we all thought he was, he’s nothin but a stat padder who benefitted for having guys like reyes, beltran and delgado in the lineup, when time came up for him to step up he folded!!