'An overwhelming sense of gratitude': How this Red Sox first baseman supports veterans

This week’s column affords me the opportunity to indulge one of my favorite passions: baseball.

Frank Lennon the veteran is passionate about the Red Sox, while Red Sox star Justin Turner is passionate about helping veterans.

These two worlds came together last week when Turner and I had a long chat about his support of veterans' causes.

First, a little background. Between innings of an August game telecast, Justin’s wife, Kourtney, was in the broadcast booth promoting an upcoming event. It was a 5K run – the Turner Trot. My ears perked up when she said the primary beneficiary would be homeless veterans.

This annual event is run by the Justin Turner Foundation. It started in Los Angeles, where Justin played for the Dodgers for nine years before joining the Red Sox last winter.

I reached out to my old friend Pam Kenn in the Red Sox front office, and she was happy to help.

“Yes, the Turners raised more than $100,000 for veterans from the Turner Trot, but Justin does a lot more than that.”

She said the team also has a military recognition program known as “Hats Off to Heroes,” which began in 2011. In the middle of the fourth inning of every home game, the organization recognizes a local active duty service member or veteran.

It’s one of the most heartwarming parts of every game, but it’s visible only to those fans in attendance. TV viewers don’t see it, because it happens during commercial breaks.

As soon as Turner came to Boston, he decided to add a personal element to the recognition. At every game, he comes out to shake the veteran’s hand and present him with a signed ball.

When I connected with Turner, I told him I was speaking with him because of Kourtney’s plug for the Turner Trot.

He laughed. “She also ran the 5K in the 'Run to Home Base' to raise money to help veterans with PTSD and TBI.”

“I understand she’s quite the athlete,” I replied.

“Kourtney also ran the Boston Marathon to benefit the Red Sox Foundation,” he added. “She's the better athlete in the family, that's for sure!”

The Turners jumped in with both feet after getting to Boston. They helped with Christmas in July at the Boston Children's Hospital and the Dana Farber Radiothon.

“That all led up to the Turner Trot 5K, which was our first opportunity to really make a splash here.

“We were able to donate $125,000 to New England Center and Home for Veterans (NECVH) in downtown Boston,” he said.

Why veterans causes are so important to Turner

What’s his motivation to help veterans?

“I was brought up in southern California, and ever since I was little it bothered me to see a veteran at almost every freeway exit begging for his next meal. That stuck with me, so when I had the ability to do something about it, I did.”

To the Turners, veteran homelessness is a serious issue. They believe not enough is being done to take care of those who need help after they leave the military.

Turner assures me he is not alone in this mission. “Speaking for a lot of guys I've played with over the years, many feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and appreciation for what these men and women have done.”

Winding road to success

After starring at Cal State Fullerton Turner was selected by Cincinnati in the seventh round of the 2006 amateur draft. But his progress up the baseball ladder was slow. In 2008 he was traded to Baltimore, where he made his major league debut in 2009. The Mets claimed him off waivers in 2010, and he played four years in New York before they released him. Turner signed with the Dodgers prior to the 2014 season. He completely revitalized his career in L.A., making two All-Star teams and helping win the World Series in 2020.

Turner certainly has been impressive. The 38-year-old has been one of Boston's best players, with 23 home runs and a career-high 96 RBIs in 142 games.

In July, Red Sox manager Alex Cora told masslive.com, “He struggled early on in his career. He was a backup. He got designated for assignment from (two) teams …Those experiences have helped him connect with guys and teach them how to be big-leaguers.”

Charitable work in L.A.

In L.A., Justin and Kourtney endeared themselves to the local community. In 2019, the Los Angeles City Council declared Jan. 22 Justin Turner Day. Despite Turner’s move to Boston, it was still celebrated in 2023.

In 2016, they founded the Justin Turner Foundation. Their major goal was to support programs for veterans, although they have also provided tens of thousands of toys and bicycles to children in the Los Angeles area during the holidays.

Turner was a 2018 nominee for the Bob Feller Act of Valor award, which links the Navy with the professional baseball world. And, last November, Turner won baseball’s prestigious Roberto Clemente award for his community contributions.

The most significant of those contributions was raising funds to build a veterans home at the Dream Center. The Center opened in November 2015 and was immediately filled to its capacity of 26 men.

The Turners were able to later assist with the opening of female veterans programs, which provide housing and support for 18 women.

Fenway’s Hats Off to Heroes

Turner’s involvement began with the Dodgers. They have a similar recognition ceremony, and Justin began signing a ball and adding a service-related message.

“The Red Sox do a great job with their program,“ he said. “Every game, the military hero gets honored on the field.”

But Turner wanted to strengthen the message, as he did in L.A. "So I go out and shake their hand, give them a signed baseball and let them know we appreciate what they're doing.”

A well deserved honor

On Sept. 27, in the sixth inning of the last home game of 2023 Red Sox manager Alex Cora came out to the mound. Everyone thought he was going to remove struggling pitcher Brayan Bello from the game.

Instead, he shook the hand of first baseman Justin Turner and replaced him instead. This gesture enabled Turner to walk off the field to a standing ovation, in recognition of all he meant to the team and the community this year.

Kenn told me, ”Justin and Kourtney Turner … in just a few short months, have been able to impact the lives of veterans through fundraising, awareness, and … Justin’s visit to each game’s 'Hats off to Heroes' participant. Their generosity knows no bounds, and it has been inspiring to watch them.”

I told him it would be great to get him involved in something in Rhode Island.

“Sounds good to me! We spent the All-Star break at Watch Hill, and it was fantastic.”

Before we ended our call, I asked Turner if he had a message for our veteran and military readers.

“I want to thank them for sacrificing, putting their lives on the line, and fighting for our freedoms," he said. "They have given me the opportunity to put on a different uniform and play a game I love for a living."

ANNOUNCEMENT

The RI Model Rocketry Association invites veterans to participate in a Rocket Building Workshop on Saturday, October 7 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Providence VA Medical Center, 830 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence, RI 02908 - 5th Floor, Classroom 3.

Veterans will be provided with a free model rocket kit, courtesy of Aerocyonics, Inc. Building supplies and motors will also be provided at no charge by Hoffman Engineering, Inc. Space, model rocket kits, building supplies, and motors are limited to the first 50 veterans who sign up for the workshop.

This workshop is limited to the first 50 veterans who register, so please sign up ASAP by emailing Lucy DiMase at lucy.dimase@va.gov to reserve your spot.

Additionally, all veterans are invited to join the Rhode Island Model Rocketry Association this Veterans Day (Saturday, November 11th) for a Free Rocket Launch event at the University of Rhode Island Peckham Farm Field in West Kingston.  Spectators are also welcome to watch the launch at no charge. The program will run from 9:30 AM to about 3 PM. Just bring your Veterans ID. More details will be provided about this event as the date approaches.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: How Red Sox first baseman Justin Turner honors, supports veterans