Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Even mom of slumping shortstop has booed him

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 5/24/23

Trea Turner hasn't made the best first impression during his initial season with the Philadelphia Phillies. And while the notoriously tough sports town has begun to turn on the highly-prized off-season signing, Turner is also hearing it from an unlikely source – his mother.

After hammering a two-run home run Wednesday, helping the Phillies come from behind to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-5, Turner revealed to reporters that his own mother admitted to booing him during his recent slump.

"She told me today that she was booing me," Turner said via NBC Sports Philadelphia. "She texted me saying, 'Good game, except for your fourth at-bat.'"

The at-bat in question was a miserable one for Turner. With the Phillies trailing the Diamondbacks 5-3 in the seventh, Turner struck out, whiffing badly on a slider from Kevin Ginkel with no outs and a runner on second base, which led to a smattering of boos from the home crowd.

Luckily for the Phillies, Turner bounced back during his next plate appearance, smashing a game-tying long ball in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to extra innings, where the Phillies would ultimately prevail thanks to a walk-off single from Alec Bohm in the bottom of the 10th.

What do ya say, Trea!!!! pic.twitter.com/bOXM0Nrchs
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) May 24, 2023

Having your mother boo you might seem harsh, but Turner said her constructive criticism is "one of the reasons" he's in the Major Leagues.

"My mom prepared me for anything in this game or in this world," Turner said. "She was tough on me from an early age, and not much has fazed me."

Turner was integral to the Phillies' win on Wednesday, but is still batting only .250 with a .687 OPS. After inking an 11-year, $300 million deal in free agency, it's fair to say the Phillies likely expected more from Turner by this point.

Fortunately for player and team, the season is still young, and there's plenty of time for the 30-year-old to round back into shape. Turner has shown All-Star ability in the past and with extra motivation from mom, he is bound to turn the corner in Philly eventually.

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