Inspiration behind Turner's boos-to-cheers story turned into a short film

You never know when a baseball moment will become the stuff of legend, when one seemingly innocuous thing will take on a life of its own. Sometimes, these moments don't even come from players, but from fans. And sometimes, they end up being worthy of the silver screen.

That's exactly what's happened with die-hard Phillies fan Jon McCann, whose big moment is credited with helping turn a season around and is now the subject of a documentary from a company founded by former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.

"The Turnaround" tells the story of how McCann, known as The Philly Captain on his popular YouTube channel, encouraged Phillies fans to give big free-agent acquisition Trea Turner a standing ovation rather than boo him when the shortstop struggled mightily early in the 2023 season.

McCann, who struggles with his mental health, sensed that positive reinforcement was more likely to have the intended effect on Turner. Little did he know just how right he was.

McCann's suggestion went viral and inspired a standing ovation for Turner from 42,000 fans at Citizens Bank Park that is credited -- at least in part -- with changing the tide of Turner's season and, by extension, the Phillies' season, too. The team went on to make the NLCS, while Turner finished the season with 26 homers and had a standout postseason.

The film, which debuts Sunday at the Telluride Film Festival, is directed by Philly native Kyle Thrash and co-directed and produced by two-time Oscar-winner Ben Proudfoot ("The Last Repair Shop" and "The Queen of Basketball").

"Jon's is an American story for our time," said Thrash and Proudfoot. "We all have a choice of how we want to approach the world around us and all its challenges. Do you boo? Or do you give all the love you can give? Jon's answer inspired us to make this film."

"The Turnaround" is produced by High Ground, the production company founded by the Obamas, in partnership with Breakwater Studios, Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios, and MLB.

"Having grown up in the Philadelphia area and being a lifelong Phillies fan myself, I am in awe of how brilliantly Kyle and Ben have captured the heart and soul of the city," said Vinnie Malhotra, president of Higher Ground. "With such a unique and rarely seen perspective into a story that will go down in baseball history, 'The Turnaround' will take you through a range of emotions and delves into the emotional core of mental health of both our beloved players and the legions of fans who rally every day to champion them."