Arkansas catcher signs endorsement as ‘rental baseball player’

Revealed: Wednesday, June 8, 2022

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas catcher Michael Turner has signed an endorsement take care of a rental firm lower than two weeks after he was known as a “rental participant” by an Arkansas sports activities speak radio host. 

The announcement of Turner’s endorsement with Northwest Arkansas-based Citadel Rental and Pawn referred to him because the “official D-1 ‘Rental’ Baseball Participant of the yr.” It was posted to Turner’s Twitter account with a photograph of Turner carrying a shirt and hat that included the corporate’s logos, and holding a baseball bat.

Shortly following Arkansas’ 7-5 loss to Florida on the SEC Match on Could 27, ESPN Arkansas sports activities speak radio host Derek Ruscin known as Turner a rental participant, in reference to his switch from Kent State earlier than the season. 

“You’re not a Razorback, you’ve been right here one — you’re a rental participant and also you’ve sucked,” Ruscin stated. “So thanks for nothing.” 

Ruscin additionally referred to Turner as a “loser,” a “shame” and one other derogatory time period. He has since apologized in a tweet and in his return to the airwaves Monday. He was briefly taken off the air by his employer.

“I wish to inform Michael Turner that I’m sorry for the phrases I used about him on this program 10 days in the past,” Ruscin stated Monday. “I’m sorry. I had an opinion and it was manner over the road. I used to be fallacious and I’m sorry about that. And I take full accountability for all of this that has occurred. That is all my fault and that’s been one of many troublesome issues about this, is that there isn’t any one else to cross the buck off to right here. That is all my fault and I’m sorry.”

Turner is Arkansas’ second-leading hitter this season with a .310 common. He additionally ranks within the high three on the workforce in most statistical classes, together with RBI (48), complete bases (114), doubles (15), hits (70), slugging proportion (.504) and OPS (.886). 

On Monday, Turner was named most excellent participant of the NCAA Stillwater Regional after he went 8 for 18 with 11 RBI and 5 runs scored on offense, and threw out 3 base runners and caught each pitch of 4 video games. Turner was additionally amongst 16 semifinalists for the Buster Posey Award for faculty baseball’s greatest catcher.