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Trea Turner has firmly established himself as one of the best shortstops in Major League Baseball since making his big league debut in 2015. He has three All-Star appearances and won a World Series title with the Washington Nationals in 2019.
Despite a successful 2024 campaign with the Philadelphia Phillies that included helping the team win its first NL East title in 13 years, Turner’s drive to win a second championship hasn’t wavered.
Turner, who spoke to B/R as part of the Champs Sports “Sport for Life” campaign, said his motivation to get another ring since winning that first title is as strong as it has ever been:
“I want another ring. I got a chance to win the World Series in 2019, and I feel like once you get a taste of that, there’s nothing that really compares. I’m kind of always chasing that. Being in a new city now and getting a chance to compete in the postseason, I think it’s right there in front of us. I can kind of taste it and smell it, and I want it. I want to win again. I think that’s what makes it more special, when you can share those moments with your teammates and fans and everyone around you.”
The 31-year-old Turner is now a well-established veteran who can impart his knowledge on younger players coming into MLB. His style of play still looks similar to when he was 23 in his first full season, but he explained that evolving over time has helped him remain successful.
“Some things that you did when you were 22, 23 when I first got into the league, you can’t do now. I also think that I’ve learned a lot and I know a lot more now being in the middle or prime of my career,” Turner said. “I know a lot more now that I wish I knew then. Don’t be scared of change, don’t be scared to make an adjustment and try to get better. I always feel like you can improve no matter where you’re at, and I try to keep that open mindset.”
Turner’s power-speed combination has made him one of the most dynamic talents in baseball. He had three consecutive seasons with at least 20 homers and 20 stolen bases from 2021 to 2023. His streak ended in 2024 when he finished one stolen base shy of 20.
Unlike players who add power to their game over time, Turner’s speed hasn’t diminished. His sprint speed ranked in the 96th percentile of all players in MLB last season.
As Turner prepares for his third season in Philadelphia in 2025, he has built a strong relationship with his teammates and the city that has gone out of its way to make him feel comfortable. Turner said he “loves everything” about the city and Phillies fans since he signed an 11-year, $300 million contract as a free agent in December 2022.
“I’ve tried to soak it all in since I been here. When I signed here, I knew the team was going to be great and play well. The guys here are a ton of fun. We have a blast playing on the field, competing and going through the grind of a season. The fans have been awesome. They picked me up last year. It’s just been so much fun to play in front of them every night. There’s so much energy in this city. They love their sports. You know, just everything. Living here, sharing moments with my family as well. It’s worked out great for us. It’s been a perfect storm.”
The Phillies have been one of the most successful teams since Turner arrived. Their 185 wins are tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for the fourth-most in MLB since the start of 2023.
Now that he is entering this next phase of his career, Turner said the piece of advice that has stuck with him over time is “competing with yourself,” because he can only control what he does and how he approaches things to trust that he will “end up in a better spot.”
Turner’s advice to himself also serves as a strong analogy for why he joined the Champs Sports “Sport for Life” campaign in the first place.
“‘Sport for Life’ is more than a tagline; it’s my reality. The lessons I’ve learned throughout my baseball career have helped me navigate challenges on and off the field with confidence and prioritize what’s important in my life,” Turner said.
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