NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Athletics Outfielder Brent Rooker’s Week started in Atlanta, the host city for the 2025 MLB All-Star game.
On Monday, Rooker participated in the annual home derby derby. The next day, Rooker was one of the three players that American League manager Aaron Boone chose to compete in the All-Star game.
Rooker went 2-for-3 in the historic Home Driving Derby style Tiebreaker. However, Philadelphia Phillies star Kyle Schwarber scored three points in Swing-off to help the National League win the thriller.
CLICK HERE for more sports cover at Foxnews.com
The National League appointed Hitter Brent Rooker (25) of Athletics in the Home Operation Swing-off Tiebreaker during the 2025 MLB All Star Game in Truist Park in Cumberland, GA., July 15, 2025. (Brett Davis/Imag images)
Several notable power-affected All-Stars were noticeably absent from the unprecedented swing-off. The AL setup was represented by Rooker, Jonathan Aranda and Randy Arozarena. Schwarber, Pete Alonso and Kyle Stowers stepped up to the plate to NL
2025 MIDSEASON MLB AWARDS: FOX SPORTS FANS select MVPs, Rookies, Cy Young Winners
The list of names left some observers surprised who triggered some questions about the elections. ESPN MLB reporter Jeff Passan was among those who weighed in the selection of the swing-off and offered his favorite lineup.
Jeff Passan smiles during All-Star Workout Day in Truist Park 14 July 2025 in Atlanta. (Matthew Grimes Jr./atlanta Braves/Getty Images)
“What could have been: Aaron Judge, Cal Raleigh, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Against Shohei Ohtani, Pete Alonso, Kyle Schwarber,” Passan wrote at X.
Rooker offered a counter -movement after noting the suggested list of players.
“Am I not good enough for you Jeff,” Rooker jokingly wrote in a reply sent to X.
Rooker later made it clear that he didn’t mind the ESPN star.
“(Guys, I like Jeff, I’m actually not mad, I would choose Aaron, Cal and Vladdy over me too),” the two-time all-star wrote in a subsequent post.
The Athletics Brent -GoRoker runs after hit an RBI -double during the third round against Toronto Blue Jay Joy July 12, 2025 in West Sacramento, California. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)
Boone addressed concerns about his player choice for swing-off and said each manager should submit three names the day before the game. He added that his decision was based on the idea that referee would not be in the game in the late laps.
“We had to choose our guys yesterday,” Boone told journalists. “Wanted to make sure I chose guys I knew would be in the game there and still hot. It was my choice.”
This is not the first time Rooker responds to social media after his name was mentioned in something related to this year’s All-Star celebrations. The athletics weave aimed at a fan who criticized him for giving his child a bottle during Monday’s Home Driving Derby.
ESPN’s cameras showed that Rooker was feeding his 11 -month -old daughter a bottle while sitting near Dugout.
“Hey Rooker … Do you really need to feed your baby on the camera? Sometimes people just want to see you playing,” wrote a viewer on X.
Rooker replied and wrote, “Yes, it was necessary to feed my 11 -month -old child her night bottle at 9 pm. Thanks for asking.”
