They say health is a skill.
Whether that phrase is true or false may be a subjective exercise, but one thing is certain: players who rarely get hurt and have their names written in the lineup everyday are extremely valuable for their managers, especially if they are stars.
This is the case with the Los Angeles Dodgers and two talented hitters on their roster: Trea Turner and Freddie Freeman.
The shortstop and the first baseman are not only supremely talented, but they have been relatively healthy for most of their careers: they rarely miss games, and that’s a gift for skippers.
“Trea Turner and Freddie Freeman are starting today, as they have for every Dodgers game so far this season. Today is game no. 67. Last Dodger with that many consecutive starts to begin a season was Shawn Green, who started the first 79 games of 2000,” Eric Stephen, who covers the Dodgers for True Blue LA, tweeted this week.
Trea Turner and Freddie Freeman are starting today, as they have for every Dodgers game so far this season. Today is game no. 67
Last Dodger with that many consecutive starts to begin a season was Shawn Green, who started the first 79 games of 2000
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) June 22, 2022
Both Players Are About To Set A Franchise Record
Both players are about to break the franchise record for most consecutive appearances to begin a season: they need about a dozen more contests without sitting to reach the impressive feat.
According to Stephen, the last two Dodgers to start every single game in a season were first basemen Eric Karros (1997) and Steve Garvey (1981).
Garvey was an impressive one: he started all 110 games during the strike-shortened 1981 season and also started every single game in the 1976, 1978, and 1979 seasons.
Turner and Freeman have been constantly available for manager Dave Roberts, in a season in which he has lost a few soldiers due to injury, both in the lineup and the rotation.
Given how good they are, the Dodgers will make sure their name is in the lineup as long as they are healthy.
NEXT: Freddie Freeman Continues His Hot Streak On Thursday