We would say that Trea Turner has been swinging a hot bat during the World Baseball Classic. But that would undersell it.
Heading into the final game against Japan, Turner had four home runs in the event. Two of those came in Team USA’s victory over Cuba in the semifinals. Another came in the quarterfinals when Turner hit a grand slam that ended up being the game-winning hit in the American team’s victory over Venezuela.
With one out in the top of the second inning of Tuesday’s final against Japan, Turner came to the plate with the score tied at zero.
He launched his fifth home run of the tournament, giving his team an early 1-0 lead.
TREA TURNER HOMERS *AGAIN*!⚾️💣🇺🇸 #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/xhwxJJyGOL
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 21, 2023
The Philadelphia Phillies signed Turner to a $300 million deal in the offseason. The team’s Twitter page expressed great excitement over Turner’s continued WBC heroics.
TREA TURNER OH MY GOD SERIOUSLY????
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 21, 2023
Others in the MLB world were similarly astonished at Turner’s fifth home run.
The Phillies may have gotten a steal signing Trea Turner to that $300 million deal.
Unreal.— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 21, 2023
TREA TURNER
— Garrett Stubbs (@GarrettStubbs) March 21, 2023
Is Trey Turner using a Wonderboy bat?
— Pete Grathoff (@pgrathoff) March 21, 2023
Trea Turner has gone full Giancarlo Stanton here the past few days. Gotta check his ID.
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) March 21, 2023
Death, taxes … https://t.co/KIBUBHjhSn
— Jessica Kleinschmidt (@KleinschmidtJD) March 21, 2023
TREA TURNER AGAIN PUT THIS MAN ON MT. RUSHMORE 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/6QCVrcpG1D
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 21, 2023
While Turner’s run isn’t unprecedented in the history of the World Baseball Classic, it is close. In the previous four WBC’s, nobody has had more home runs than Turner’s five, while only one player has matched his total in a single event.
Trea Turner’s 5 HR are tied for most overall in a single WBC, with:
2006 Seung Yuop Lee (KOR): 5
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) March 21, 2023
He seems to enjoy hitting at LoanDepot Park. And now that Turner is back in the National League East, he’ll get more chances to do that during the season.
