What a night for Brent Rooker.
After kicking off the American League’s game-tying rally from a 6-0 deficit with a three-run home run, the Athletics designated hitter came up clutch in the 2025 MLB All-Star Game’s first-ever swing-off with two blasts.
Rooker’s heroic effort wasn’t enough, however, to help his squad secure the Midsummer Classic win.
He was the first AL hitter — and first ever in MLB — to step into the box for the swing-off, the All-Star Game tiebreaker format that was implemented in 2022 but never used until now. Rooker certainly made the most of his three swings and was helped out by Randy Arozarena, who hit one homer, before Jonathan Aranda couldn’t get one over the wall.
The A’s slugger only was outdone by Kyle Schwarber, who miraculously homered on all three of his swings to put the National League up 4-3 following Kyle Stowers’ lone shot. From there, Pete Alonso didn’t even have to hit after Aranda’s three swings.
No MLB player ever has been able to say they took part in more than one Home Run Derby during the All-Star Game festivities. But even after being robbed of the opportunity to advance in Monday night’s derby, Rooker now is the only player who can.