Justin Turner, 41, among several former MLB players to win Mexican League title

First-year player Justin Turner -- yes, that one -- and a plethora of former Major League Baseball players helped the Toros de Tijuana win the 2026 Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) Serie del Rey on Tuesday.

Tijuana defeated the Olmecas de Tabasco in six games for the title. It was the third in franchise history. The Toros prevailed in a defensive classic on Tuesday in Game 6, winning 2-0 behind five pitchers who allowed just three total hits. Former Twin Gilberto Celestino drove in both Tijuana runs with a fifth-inning single.

Though he was hitless on Tuesday, 10-year big leaguer Hernán Pérez took home series MVP honors. In the postseason, he posted three home runs, five doubles, 19 RBIs and a .908 OPS in 18 games.

Turner, 41, was a key to Tijuana’s success during the year after spending last season with the Cubs. He slashed .295/.395/.469 with six homers over 65 games, all while commuting to the ballpark from his home in San Diego. Turner was 1-for-3 on Tuesday.

Nine other former Major Leaguers appeared in Tuesday’s series clincher for Tijuana: Franchy Cordero, Wilmer Flores, Junior Lake, Tomás Telis, Adonis Medina, Adbert Alzolay, Jonathan Aro, Roel Ramírez and Brett de Geus. The club is managed by former All-Star and 13-year big leaguer Roberto Kelly.