LAKEWOOD, Calif. — Before Justin Turner’s controversial World Series celebration (despite a positive COVID test), the 35-year-old third baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers was a Mayfair Monsoon.

The Long Beach native has left a legacy at his old high school. His old ball coach, Matt Eeles, now the principal of La Habra High School reflects on Justin’s high school campaign.

“When I look up there I see vivid pictures and memories from back then of a young man that was this red headed, thin skinny kid," said Matt, after Game 6 of the World Series and before Turner’s COVID-19 diagnosis.

That skinny kid grew up in the Dodgers backyard, went on to play for Cal State Fullerton and has now won a World Series with his hometown team.  

While his star has grown, the captain of the Dodgers was a captain for the Monsoons too.  

“It was a great time. For him, he always had fun. He loved being out here. Baseball was kind of his life.

The now Athletic Director at Mayfair, Dennis Guerra knows just how much that name means around here.

In fact, the campus has saved one of Red’s original jerseys.

“His legacy here carries a lot of weight with our ballplayers, carries a lot of weight with the staff that knew him that have been here. They all talk highly of him,” says Director Guerra.

Coach Eeles still texts Red and congratulates him at every milestone of his career.

“He is a kid that kids can look at and ifs they saw him when he was younger and playing in Pony League and Little League and into high school, and see him now? They would really believe, like I gotta chance.”  

A chance to take a backyard dream and turn it into a World Series ring.