Cubs’ Justin Turner deflects praise after walk-off win

On Tuesday, Chicago entered the bottom of the ninth inning trailing by a score of 2-4. Nico Hoerner brought the game within a run after singling home Carson Kelly and then Justin Turner ended the game with a two RBI double. Turner’s walk-off hit made him the first Cubs player 38 years or older with a walk-off hit since Fred McGriff in 2002.

A humble Justin Turner deflected praise to his Chicago Cubs teammates

The early part of the 2025 season has been a struggle for Turner, evidenced by a .169/.292/.186 slash line. However, he is still finding ways to make an impact, both on the field and in the club house. His teammate Ben Brown told Marquee Network after the walk off hit “He’s probably one of the best teammates I’ve ever had. We’re so thankful for him and every single thing that he does for us as a team off the field.”

Further supporting Brown’s statement, Turner’s immediate response to the walk off hit was to thank his teammates Carson Kelly and Dansby Swanson. Kelly started the inning off right by hustling out of the box and reaching on an error while Swanson drew a walk, that included taking several borderline pitches. All of this eventually set up Turner to take the game winning swing.

“Carson (Kelly) hit a ball on the ground and busted out of the box, putting pressure on the defense; Dansby took a good at-bat. I was just lucky enough to have the opportunity to take the last swing.”

-Justin Turner

Hopefully Tuesday’s hit will give Turner some additional confidence at the plate and he can start getting back on track offensively. Third base has been a revolving door for the Cubs so far this season, but Turner’s walk-off hit is evidence that no matter what kind of slump he is in he still has the clutch factor to impact the game when it matters the most.