By Mitch Chortkoff
Sports Editor
Without question Kirk Gibson’s home run in 1948 remains the most famous one since the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.
The Dodgers won that season’s World Series and no LA Dodger team has won one since.
But a three-run homer in the ninth inning by Justin Turner Sunday night, giving the Dodgers a 4-1 victory over the defending champion Cubs is being linked with Gibson.
Listen to what Justin Turner, the Dodgers’ new hero, has to say about it.
“I listened to Gibson’s home run that year, October 25th, 1948.” he said. “I was four-years old.”
Reminded this was the first Dodger walk-off playoff game home run since the one Gibson hit Turner kept his head down, needing a few quiet moments.
His home run came on October 15, 2017. Gibson’s homer came on October 15, 1988 29 years ago.
The Dodgers took a 2-0 series lead to Chicago and won Game Three, 6-1. They lost the next game, 3-2 but Turner homered again.
So the Dodgers had a 3-1 series lead when this issue of The Observer went to press.
To watch Gibson’s magical year the Dodgers would have to eliminate the Cubs and the American League World Series representative, the Astros or the Yankees.
Dodger manager Dave Roberts says Turner reminds him of former Red Sox star David Ortiz.
“I’m not comparing him to David but like David Justin stays calm and he isn’t afraid to fail,” said Roberts.
Turner drove in all four runs for the Dodgers Sundy, His third inning single brought in the Dodgers’ first run and set up the dramatics in a tense game that was tied 1-1 entering the ninth, Then Turner homered off John Lackey.
Turner, now 32, was born in Long Beach and played for Cal State Fullerton, which won the 2004 College World Series. He was drafted by the Mets and also played for Baltimore before becoming a Dodger.
In college and the minor leagues he had played second base and shortstop. In time he won the Dodgers’ third base job and is established as a key regular instead of a utility man
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