Harper checks in with Team USA after Turner’s epic slam
Afterward, he texted Phillies teammate and Team USA hero Trea Turner, who hit the game-winning grand slam within the eighth inning to beat Venezuela. Harper texted with Mike Trout on Sunday morning.
“It was such a cool moment,” Harper mentioned Sunday at BayCare Ballpark. “Trout was like, ‘Hey, man. We miss you. We wish you were here.’ I definitely wish I was. It’s not bittersweet, though, because I’m so excited for those guys. I want them to win. It’s so exciting for them. It’s so cool. I hope they win [Sunday night], because I’ll probably go to the championship game [in Miami] on Tuesday.”
Phillies teammate J.T. Realmuto arrange Turner’s slam when he bought hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Realmuto stared and smiled at Venezuelan pitcher José Quijada as he walked to first base.
“J.T. wasn’t very happy,” Harper mentioned. “It’s simply nice to see the Phillies symbolize that manner. I really feel like they’ve had such a fantastic WBC, from Trea to J.T. to [Kyle Schwarber].
“Anybody who has that moment in their career — I’ve always wanted guys to have success, no matter who it is. But it’s really cool to have a guy in your clubhouse do it because you know he’s on your team. That’s our shortstop. It’s an amazing thing to see Trea do that, knowing that he’s on our team now. That’s our guy. I think the fans were excited to see that. Smoltzie [FOX TV analyst John Smoltz] said last night our lineup is going to be electric. It should be, right?”
Harper was one of many first gamers to decide to play for Team USA final summer time, however he couldn’t take part after having Tommy John surgical procedure in November. He mentioned he wished to play, partially, as a result of he liked representing his nation twice as a young person. Harper was a member of USA Baseball’s 2009 U18 workforce that went 8-0 to win the COPABE Pan American “AAA” Championships in Venezuela. That workforce included Harper, Nick Castellanos, Manny Machado, Tony Walters, Kevin Gausman, Robbie Ray and Jameson Taillon. Harper additionally performed for USA baseball’s U16 workforce in 2008.
Based on these experiences, Harper was thrilled to see gamers pour out of the dugout to have fun Turner’s slam.
“We had a distinct way that we had to go about it as players,” Harper mentioned. “Stoic. Just keep right here. Don’t get excited. That’s form of how they train it on the USA baseball stage. So seeing that come out is so cool as a result of it matches the opposite workforce. It’s so nice to see these gamers get enthusiastic about their nation and enjoying for his or her nation. I’m getting chills proper now.
“I like the truth that they performed Venezuela final night time and the place was slammin’. There had been American flags in every single place. That’s what it’s all about. That’s what the World Cup is all about. That’s what the Olympics are about. It’s so cool to see folks love their nations a lot. It fires me as much as see it. I’m so comfortable for them. I’m so happy with them.”
“I have so much pride for this country,” Harper mentioned. “To put that on your chest and play for them? There’s nothing better. I texted Trout and he said, ‘We’ve got to recruit for the next three years.’ I’m like, ‘Bro, just win this one first.’ But we’ve definitely got to do that.”
