The next time anyone tries to argue the World Baseball Classic is a meaningless tournament that’s not worth the hassle, make sure you remind them of a certain Saturday night during March 2023.
Remind them Team USA was trailing Venezuela, 7-5, in the eighth inning of a quarterfinal elimination game in Miami when Trea Turner stepped to the plate with the bases loaded in a rocking loanDepot Park. Remind them he took two strikes and then uncorked a go-ahead grand slam that’s still soaring somewhere over the Atlantic ocean right now.
And if they don’t remember, show them these videos of Turner making WBC history.
Slam it to the left if you're having a good time. #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/xBx3eHS5XM
— MLB (@MLB) March 19, 2023
I was going to try to refrain from hyperbole but it’s really not possible. Let’s just call this what it is: arguably the coolest moment by a baseball player in a Team USA jersey ever.
And if you don’t think it means anything to the players in this tournament, just take a look at this side angle video of Turner watching the ball fly off his bat and out of the park. It’ll give you goosebumps.
What a TURN of events! #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/1tn6fKa9BS
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 19, 2023
It’s impossible to see that clip and think these guys would be better off toiling on the backfields in spring training right now. It’s impossible to see that and not feel like you’re watching mid-October baseball rather than mid-March.
And if you need any more convincing just take a look at how the players in the dugout feel:
What an atmosphere!
The #WorldBaseballClassic turns up the volume. 📈 pic.twitter.com/P4KNGU9xPq
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 19, 2023
I have never seen so much emotion on Mike Trout’s face. pic.twitter.com/kLG9ifmTbT
— Shawn Spradling (@Shawn_Spradling) March 19, 2023
We need more of playoff Mike Trout. Desperately. pic.twitter.com/BZZq6p3ClM
— Aiden Béchamps (@ABechamps) March 19, 2023
Absolutely love this from JT Realmuto
(From:)https://t.co/bY7FbEEhh1 pic.twitter.com/ahf8NkGRzI
— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) March 19, 2023
When Turner returned to the dugout, he found himself wrapped up in a massive bear hug from none other than Ken Griffey Jr. — the Team USA hitting coach who had the club in awe when they finally convinced The Kid to take some batting practice before the game.
The Americans went on to win 8-7. They advanced to the semifinals where they’ll face Cuba in Miami on Sunday, March 19. It’ll be another epic atmosphere.
And while it’s an absolute shame players have gotten injured during the tournament — the latest being a thumb injury for Jose Altuve that’ll require surgery — random injuries occur during spring training all the time when players aren’t in high-stakes games.
Take it from the guys in the dugout: The WBC matters. They want to be here. And by all accounts, it’s successfully growing the game.
If you can’t remember that, just remember how Trea Turner’s grand slam made you feel.
