ARLINGTON, Texas -- Following the 2013 season, the Dodgers were looking to rebuild their bench after losing Nick Punto, Skip Schumacher, Jerry Hairston Jr. and Michael Young to free agency (the first two) and retirement (the last two).
Dodgers coach Tim Wallach (and fellow Cal State-Fullerton alum) saw Justin Turner at the Titans alumni game that winter and suggested to then-GM Ned Colletti that Turner might fit the bill as a role player on the Dodgers' rebuilt bench.
He has become much more than that. Since signing with the Dodgers, Turner has the highest batting average in baseball (minimum 350 at-bats).