Chris Turner (baseball)


Christopher Wan Turner is an American former professional baseball player. He played eight seasons in the Major League Baseball for four teams and was a member of the New York Yankees' 2000 World Series championship team that beat the New York Mets. He was primarily used as a backup catcher, but also played some first base, right field, left field, and saw time as a designated hitter.

Career

Amateur

Turner attended Western Kentucky University. In 1989 and 1990, he played collegiate summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox.

California Angels/Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (1993–1997)

Drafted by the California Angels in the 7th round of the 1991 MLB amateur draft, Turner would make his Major League Baseball debut with them on August 27, 1993. He played in 25 games that year as a backup catcher and hit.280 with one home run and 13 runs batted in, his best season. In 1994, he played in a career-high 58 games and hit.242 with one home run and 12 runs batted in before the strike cancelled the remainder of the season in August. In 1995 he played in just five games, going 1-for-10 with an RBI. The next season, he played in four games, going 1 for 5 with an RBI and a walk. In 1997, he played in 13 games, going 6-for-23 with a homer and two runs batted in. On October 10, 1997, he was granted free agency. He signed with the Twins on December 5, 1997, but was released on April 20, 1998.

Kansas City Royals (1998)

Turner signed with the Royals on April 20, 1998, only hours after being released by the Twins. He played in four games for the Royals and went 0-for-9 with four strikeouts. He was granted free agency on October 15.

Cleveland Indians (1999)

Turner signed with the Indians on January 5, 1999. He played in just 12 games, going 4-for-21 with three runs, a steal, and a walk while recording eight strikeouts. On October 4, he was granted free agency.

New York Yankees (2000)

Turner signed with the Yankees on December 17, 1999 and was viewed as a temporary successor to Joe Girardi, who left as a free agent. He played in 37 games, his highest total since 1994 and second highest of his career. Turner appeared in his final game on October 1, 2000 with the New York Yankees and received a World Series ring when the Yankees defeated the Mets in the Subway Series.

Retirement

Turner was granted free agency on November 21, 2000. On January 4, 2001 he signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, but was released before the start of the season and subsequently retired.