Philadelphia Phillies executive Rubén Amaro Jr. expressed strong frustration after Trea Turner was left off the 2025 MLB All-Star Game roster and was not added as an injury replacement. Amaro, now a Phillies analyst, criticized Major League Baseball’s decision on Tuesday, raising questions about Turner’s exclusion despite his outstanding season performance.
Turner, who is 32 years old, came into the All-Star break with a .289 batting average, 11 home runs, and 40 RBIs, alongside a .776 OPS in more than 420 plate appearances. He also leads the National League in hits and has successfully stolen 24 bases out of 30 attempts, underlining his value to the Phillies and the league this season.
Amaro Jr. Condemns the Omission as Unbelievable
Amaro described the decision to exclude Turner as “the most ridiculous thing” he has witnessed during his four decades in professional baseball. During an interview on the Phillies Show podcast, Amaro remarked,
I guess the hit is not all that important anymore,
highlighting the apparent undervaluing of Turner’s hitting ability in the selection process.
He also drew a striking comparison with Ichiro Suzuki, saying,
And then do you imagine Ichiro not making an [All-Star Game]? I mean, think about that for a second.
Amaro’s statement underscored how unusual it is for a player of Turner’s caliber to miss out, especially given Ichiro’s renowned history of consistent All-Star appearances.
Contextualizing Turner’s Performance Against Baseball History
While it is clear Turner’s exclusion is controversial, some analysts point out that comparing him to Ichiro may not be entirely fair. Ichiro’s first decade in the majors included an average of 224 hits and 38 stolen bases per season, performances that established him as a baseball legend. Turner’s playing style and era differ significantly from Ichiro’s heyday with the Seattle Mariners.
Nonetheless, Turner remains one of the most notable snubs of the year, fueling debate about MLB’s criteria for All-Star selections in the current era compared to the past.
Phillies’ Representation and Player Decisions at the All-Star Game
The Phillies will still have representation at the 2025 All-Star Game with Kyle Schwarber, who was selected as a designated hitter and left fielder. Zack Wheeler, the Phillies’ ace pitcher, also earned an All-Star nod but decided to opt out of the event to focus on recovery and preparing for the season’s second half.
Significance and Potential Impact of the Snub
The snub of Trea Turner has exposed tensions within Major League Baseball regarding player recognition and selection fairness. Rubén Amaro Jr.’s vocal criticism highlights the ongoing dissatisfaction among some observers about how talent is evaluated for marquee events like the All-Star Game. This incident may influence future discussions on how roster spots are allocated and could prompt more scrutiny of MLB’s selection process as the season progresses.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What was Trea Turner’s 60 time?
A. At the college’s scout day during his junior year, he completed a 60 in 6.2 seconds. Few people can achieve that speed, making 6.2 seconds or quicker quite uncommon. Avent stated that in his 37 years in college sports, this was the quickest time he’s ever recorded.