George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Martin Luther King Jr, and Trea Turner.
What do all of these great men have in common? They are American heroes, of course.
Holding Out for a Hero
In the Quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic, Phillies shortstop Trea Turner became an American hero as he hit a go-ahead grand slam against Venezuela to give Team USA a 9-7 lead.
The United States had led early in this game but then lost the lead in the middle innings. Team Venezuela, which is loaded with MLB talent, wasn’t going to go away without a fight. A team with Ronald Acuna Jr, Salvador Perez, and Jose Altuve is more than capable of erasing a lead.
Team Venezuela went up 7-5 and carried that lead into the 8th inning. The US was the away team in this game, so they got to step to the plate to start the inning.
White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson would start the inning off with a walk. Mets’ first basemen Pete Alonso, would then continue the momentum with a single. Following Alonso, Phillies’ catcher JT Realmuto would be hit by a pitch. JT would stare down pitcher Jose Quijada as he walked towards first.
This would load the bases for Turner. Trea would get down into an 0-2 really quickly. Forcing him to change his approach at the plate. With his next pitch, Jose Quijada would make a mistake. Jose left a pitch right down the middle of the plate, and the Phillies’ new shortstop did not miss.
Turner would give Team USA a 9-7 lead. This would be the final score of the game, and it is safe to say the United States would not have advanced without this incredible moment from Trea Turner.
Trea Turner findd Semi-Final Success
After having a heroic night in the quarterfinals, Trea Turner did not cool off in the semis. The Phillies shortstop once again hit ninth in the Team USA lineup. He very well might be the greatest #9 hitter of all time.
Turner was one of many American hitters to show out against Cuba, but Trea made sure his damage was the loudest. In his first at-bat of the night, he made sure to give the fans an encore.
This blast gave Team USA a 3-1 lead. Somewhat icing the game as the U.S. blew out Team Cuba on Sunday night.
Turner’s next home run would come in the bottom of the sixth. Team USA was up 9-2 but the Phillies shortstop was not holding back.
Trea Turner hit 3 home runs in less than 24 hours. A feat that the Phillies are hoping for Trea to accomplish in red pinstripes.
The former Dodger showed the entire world that he is the best shortstop in baseball. The reigning National League champions added the best free agent in the game this past off-season. The best team in the NL got better and will only improve once Bryce Harper returns.
It is a great time to be a Phillies fan, and we are less than two weeks away from seeing our Phillies compete for a chance at the World Series once again.
Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire
