Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner is basking in the glow of an Emmy Award, a surprising addition to his already impressive accolades.
With a National League batting title and a World Series championship ring under his belt, Turner’s latest achievement adds a unique twist to his 11-year MLB career.
"Trea Turner's an Emmy winner, absolutely," said Kyle Thrash, the producer behind the documentary. "He definitely held it up like he owned it."
While Turner may not keep the award permanently, he had the opportunity to lift it high before Friday's game against Toronto, celebrating the Emmy won for the best sports short documentary titled "The Turnaround." This film chronicles the standing ovation that revitalized his season.
The documentary, which won a sports Emmy in May, features Thrash alongside Jon McCann, a Phillies fan whose personal battles with mental health resonate throughout the film. The two attended the game to share their excitement with Turner.
"Cuz, we did it, huh?!" McCann exclaimed as he greeted Turner on the field after batting practice. "Trea Turner, we share an Emmy together."
Turner took a moment to read the Emmy's inscription and promised fans in section 301 that he would wave to them if he managed to steal a base during the game.
"We get to bring a trophy back to the ballpark tonight and share it with so many people that were involved in the standing ovation. It's pretty incredible," Thrash remarked.
Philly sports fans, often labeled as some of the most passionate in the league, rallied behind Turner during a challenging August 2023 series, giving him standing ovations throughout his at-bats to show unwavering support.
At that time, Turner was struggling in his first season of an 11-year, $300 million contract with the Phillies, batting just .238 with 11 home runs and 39 RBIs. His performance had even led to a drop to eighth in the batting order before facing Kansas City.
However, over three games against the Royals that weekend, Turner turned things around, going 4 for 12 with two doubles, a home run, and five RBIs, ultimately helping propel the Phillies into the playoffs.
In gratitude, Turner later funded "Thank You, Philly" digital billboards across the greater Philadelphia area.
The documentary was produced by Higher Ground, a media company established by former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
McCann, known as "The Philly Captain," is a local YouTuber who played a significant role in rallying fan support for Turner alongside a Philly sports talk radio host.
"During the ceremony, one of the award presenters said, 'When you go up against the Olympics, you lose.' So I kind of thought we already lost," McCann reflected. "We didn't. It was a great, great shock."
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