Cubs’ Justin Turner paid tribute to Val Kilmer during Wrigley Field opener
Justin Turner had one of the most critical at-bats in the Chicago Cubs’ 3-1 win over the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on Friday.
Before his infield single gave the Cubs the lead, he walked up to the plate with the song ‘Danger Zone’ playing.
Turner chose this song to honor the late actor Val Kilmer, who passed away this week at the age of 65. One of Kilmer’s most popular roles was in the movie ‘Top Gun’, in which he played the role of ‘Iceman’.
After Kilmer’s passing, Turner took to Instagram to pay homage.
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With the blustery weather conditions at Wrigley Field on Friday, runs were at a premium. Turner entered Friday’s game as a pinch-hitter for Cubs first baseman Michael Busch. To set the scene — the bases were loaded with two outs, and the Padres had just brought in left-handed reliever Yuki Matsui to face the left-handed hitting Busch.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell countered the move with the veteran Turner, who is a lifetime .270 hitter against left-handers. On a 2-1 count, Turner laced the ball with an exit velocity of 103.8 MPH into the hole between shortstop and third base. Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts made an excellent sliding stop, but Seiya Suzuki beat the force out at second base and the Cubs took the lead.
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Turner finished yesterday’s series opening win going 1-for-1 with a BB and an RBI. The 17-year MLB veteran has provided stability off the Cubs bench this year, hitting .273 with and on-base percentage of .429 in limited playing time.
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