Coronavirus steals the spotlight in Game 6 of the World Series

Every World Series has its moments. In 1988, it was Kirk Gibson’s home run in Game 1. In 1986, it was Bill Buckner’s error in Game 6. In 2002, it was Troy Glaus’s two-run double in Game 6.

The 2020 World Series was unique for being played in the middle of a pandemic. The pandemic became part of the storyline when Justin Turner was pulled out of the game for testing positive for coronavirus. It was one of the moments that will be remembered in the 2020 World Series. There were a couple more.

The one play that will define the 2020 World Series is the final play of Game 4. The Dodgers were up 7-6 in the bottom of the ninth inning. Kenley Jansen was called in to close out the game. If the Dodgers won, they would go up 3-1 in the World Series. But the Tampa Rays had other ideas.

With runners on first and second base and two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Jansen gave up a bloop single to pinch hitter Brett Phillips. Dodgers centerfielder Chris Taylor bobbled the ball. Dodgers catcher Will Smith dropped the relay throw. Randy Arozarena stumbled rounding third base on his way to scoring the winning run for the Rays. Jansen didn’t back up Smith at the plate. Arozarena recovered and slid into home plate. The Rays won. The Dodgers were stunned. But losing that game might have been the catalyst for the Dodgers winning the next two games.

It was an embarrassing loss. It was another blown save in the playoffs for Jansen. It was the last time Dodgers manager called on Jansen to close a game. The Dodgers turned into a team that wasn’t going to lose another game. And they didn’t, winning Games 5 and 6 convincingly.

In Game 6, there were plenty of opportunities for the Dodgers to shine. Austin Barnes started the two-run rally in the sixth inning to give the Dodgers the lead. Mookie Betts kept the rally alive, scored the go-ahead run after doubling in the sixth. Corey Seager drove in Betts with a groundout. Betts homered in the eighth inning to give the Dodgers a 3-1 lead.

But it was the bullpen that came through for the Dodgers in Game 6. In particular, it was Julio Urias who nailed down the final seven outs of the game. It was a playoff pitching performance worthy of any in Dodgers history. It was on par with any start by Sandy Koufax or Orel Hershisher or Fernando Valenzuela. Urias only recorded seven outs, but they were the most important seven outs in three decades for Dodger fans.

More importantly, Roberts kept Urias in the game in the ninth inning. Surely the temptation was there to bring in Jansen or Blake Treinen or Clayton Kershaw, who made his way to the Dodgers bullpen midway through the game. Instead, Roberts stuck with Urias, just like Roberts did in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves. If there was a hero in Game 6 of the World Series, it was Urias.

But Game 6 of the 2020 World Series will sadly be remembered for Turner’s positive coronavirus test. Turner was taken out of the game in the eighth inning inexplicably. Edwin Rios came into the game to play third base. It was later revealed at the end of the game that Turner tested positive for coronavirus and was ordered to be taken out of the game by MLB. Protocol dictated that Turner should have been quarantined and isolated from the team, staff, fans, anyone who was at the stadium. But he didn’t. He came on to the field for the postgame celebration, for photos with the team, to kiss his wife, hug Kershaw on the infield.

The 2020 World Series ended 32 years of World Series futility for the Dodgers. But it also threw caution to the wind. Turner was an integral part of the Dodgers World Series team. He has been an important part of the Dodgers team for seven years, for all three of its World Series teams. No one will forget the role he played on those teams. He still should not have been on the field after the game. It was a reckless and dangerous way to end the 2020 World Series. Dodger fans didn’t have any time to celebrate before wondering if Turner infected any of his teammates, his coaches, his family. Now the real test begins. Did Turner do any damage to a team that finally broke through in the World Series? The answer to that question will come out in the next few weeks. Until then, the Dodgers have to reserve their celebrating. It will be a long wait.

In the meantime, let’s go Dodgers.