The Los Angeles Dodgers were represented by Trea Turner and Mookie Betts when 2022 MLB All-Star Game starters were announced, marking the first time since 1980 they will have multiple position players in the National League lineup.
It’s a second career All-Star selection for Turner, but first with the Dodgers. He edged out Dansby Swanson of the Atlanta Braves by receiving 52% of the votes during Phase 2.
“It means a lot. There’s a lot of good players out there,” Turner said. “Dansby’s had a heck of a year. It was a tight race, but our fans showed up and voted and that’s pretty cool. I’m excited for it.”
Turner and Betts were informed of their starting selections by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
“I didn’t know if it was going to happen. I was hoping obviously it would just because it’s at home and it’s special to be in that game, but it’s something out of my control,” Turner said. “And so I wasn’t trying to worry about it too much.
“But now that it’s happened, I’m honored and excited and hopefully put on a show for the fans.”
Turner largely kept his focus on playing rather than All-Star Game voting, but his family maintained a watchful eye throughout the process.
“My parents, siblings, my sister, aunts, uncles, friends, so it’s kind of more for them,” he said. “But it’s good to see, you get that recognition for them. … My family’s got a little group chat from home. So they’re telling each other to vote.
“My dad and my family is a little bit superstitious in the sense they try not to talk about it until it happens. So they try to remind people but they still were waiting to see what happened.”
Turner not interested in Home Run Derby
With starters announced, the next steps are setting entire All-Star Game rosters, which will be announced Sunday. Home Run Derby participants also need to be finalized, but the group won’t include Turner.
“I would put up like one or two homers, maybe,” he said. “I haven’t hit BP all year for a reason, because I don’t hit it very well. So yeah, definitely not. But I would love to see one of these guys in here do it.
“I know Max (Muncy) has done in the past. Maybe Will Smith. I don’t know. There’s quite a few guys that could do it in here. But no, definitely not me.”
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