Phillies shortstop Trea Turner wanted to run it back with Team USA at the World Baseball Classic.
He had a convincing case, too, after tying the tournament record and leading his country with five homers back in the 2023 iteration of the event, too.
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But when Team USA announced its roster ahead of this year’s tournament in March, Turner was left off it and he revealed Monday that it wasn’t because he turned down an opportunity to play.
“It’s something I wanted to do, but the phone never rang,” Turner told reporters from his locker at the Phillies’ spring training complex. “It’s so much fun. I gladly would have done it again. I said it last time, if they ever ask, I would say yes.”
Team USA manager Mark DeRosa and general manager Michael Hill selected the Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. and the Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson over the 32-year-old Turner as Team USA shortstops — giving the infield a different complexion as they look to win the tournament after falling to Japan in the 2023 championship game.
Trea Turner is pictured during the Phillies’ spring training session Feb. 16. AP
Led by captain and Yankees superstar Aaron Judge, Team USA’s star-studded roster also includes two of Turner’s Phillies teammates in Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper.
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“They’ve got a great roster this year,” Turner told reporters Monday. “It’s stacked.”
Trea Turner celebrates after hitting a grand slam during a March 2023 game in the World Baseball Classic. USA TODAY Sports
Instead, Turner will remain with the Phillies for the entirety of their Grapefruit League slate and spring training.
The next chance for Turner, whose vintage WBC moments in 2023 included a go-ahead grand slam against Venezuela in the quarterfinals, to play for Team USA will be in 2029, when the tournament unfolds next.
“I think we’re in a good spot to win,” Turner told reporters of Team USA, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I’ll definitely be watching it, and I wish Kyle and Bryce and all these guys, [Edmundo] Sosa, everyone playing, I hope they perform well for their countries, and it’s a lot of fun.”
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Turner won the National League batting title last season after collecting a .304 average — in addition to 15 homers and 69 RBIs — in what served as his best season since signing with the Phillies ahead of the 2023 season.
