Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner is a key performer for the USMNT but it seems his talents are not just limited to football after he showed his baseball skills out in St. Louis.
The 29-year-old stopper might be more used to facing shots from opposition forwards but he certainly did not look out of place when he took to the batting cages with the St. Louis Cardinals ahead of their game versus the Houston Astros. The Gunners star wowed the crowd gathered at CITYPARK by demonstrating his ability in the cage.
Turner certainly had a formidable act to follow after taking his cuts just after Cardinals star Nolan Arenado but was able to hit an incredible four home runs. To the astonishment of the St. Louis star third baseman, the Premier League back-up stopper did not look out of place with a bat in hand.
Arenado responded with a nod of approval in the direction of the US international after he sent two pitches out of the ballpark's right-field wall before hitting a home run. His exploits did not go unnoticed when it comes to his national team either, it seems.
Afterwards, the Cardinals star was quick to congratulate Turner for his excellence after stepping up to the plate so impressively, adding: "That’s the best celebrity swinging I’ve ever seen. Usually they hit for a while because they can’t do it."
Following on from his spectacular showing in Missouri, the USMNT's Twitter account remined MLB of Turner's performance in the cage two days earlier. MLB had announced its All-Star line ups as the best players from the National League and American League prepare to face off in a showpiece game.
However, on viewing the picks for each team, the USMNT's admin was quick quip that the Arsenal goalkeeper should have been named for the exhibition spectacle. With the aforementioned Arenado having made the cut, they joked that the former New England Revolution ace had been snubbed.
In a quote tweet sent in response to MLB's announcement of the line ups, the USMNT account was steadfast in presenting the case that Turner should have been included, saying: "Wow, @MLB. Matt Turner snubbed smh [shaking my head]."
While the Arsenal player will not be taking part in the All-Star clash, his current employers will be involved in a similar match versus MLS All-Stars which is due to take place in Washington DC on June 19. An ensemble cast featuring the cream of the US league's stars will be led by D.C. United coach Wayne Rooney in what promises to be an exciting game versus Mikel Arteta's team.
After this friendly game at Audi Field, the North London club will then go on tour around the US, with a date in New Jersey to come against Premier League rivals Manchester United before a garland match versus Barcelona to round things off in Los Angeles.
