Los Angeles Dodgers fans got used to watching number 10 at the plate and at third base for the last nine seasons.
From 2014 to 2022, Justin Turner used that number on his uniform.
After signing with the Boston Red Sox for the 2023 campaign, however, he will switch numbers and will now wear No. 2.
That was Xander Bogaerts’ number, but he decided to sign elsewhere this offseason and left it vacant.
Turner, as it turns out, really likes that number and is taking possession of it.
“Justin Turner is currently listed as #2 for the Red Sox on his MLB.com page. He’d obviously be the first to wear Xander Bogaerts’ number since his departure. Turner wore #2 when he was with the Mets and has it as part of his social media pages,” Red Sox insider Tyler Milliken tweeted.
Justin Turner is currently listed as #2 for the Red Sox on his https://t.co/DQaZYwCU0w page.
He’d obviously be the first to wear Xander Bogaerts’ number since his departure.
Turner wore #2 when he was with the Mets and has it as part of his social media pages. pic.twitter.com/WOjzW7wFxH
— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) January 6, 2023
From 2010 to 2013, when he was with the New York Mets, Turner used it.
Now, he is getting it back after almost a decade.
Numbers sometime have a real meaning for MLB stars.
Sometimes, they get to wear their “lucky” numbers, or the ones they wore in high school and college.
Other times, they do it because of their idols growing up.
In any case, they actually mean something to the average player.
In this case, the number 2 evidently means something to Turner, one of the most underrated hitters of the last decade.
The veteran slugger hit .278/.350/.438 in 468 at-bats with the Dodgers last season.
He got a .788 OPS and a 116 OPS+, too, another above-average season with the bat for him.
He has a rock-solid .832 career OPS and remains an upgrade for the Red Sox lineup.
They have to be careful, though, because sudden decline is a possibility given his advanced age.
NEXT: Red Sox Insider Touts Gary Sanchez As A Potential Target