SI

Brent Rooker Questions MLB Home Run Derby Elimination via Controversial Tiebreaker

Stephen Douglas

Brent Rooker during Home Run Derby introductions.
Brent Rooker during Home Run Derby introductions. / Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
In this story:

Cal Raleigh won the 2025 Home Run Derby, but he only made it out of the first round by less than an inch.

Raleigh was nearly eliminated in the first round after he hit just 17 home runs, which was the fourth highest total, tying him with the A's Brent Rooker. Rather than go to a swing off, MLB decided Raleigh would advance because he hit the longest home run of the round between he and Rooker.

The thing is, they both had their longest home runs measured at 470 feet and then out of nowhere MLB produced an exact measurement ten places past the decimal. It was determined that Raleigh's home run had traveled less than an inch further and thus he would advance while Rooker was eliminated.

While Raleigh and the contest continued, Rooker spoke with the media and lightheartedly questioned MLB's incredibly accurate measurements.

"You know, maybe if they have it to the decimal point, they should display that during the Derby and not wait till everyone's done to bring out that information that might be helpful," said Rooker.

He also added, "It is what it is" and he had fun, but "the rules are the rules." All in all, a pretty measured reaction with a million dollars on the line.

More MLB on Sports Illustrated

feed

Published
Stephen Douglas
STEPHEN DOUGLAS

Stephen Douglas is a senior writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He has worked in media since 2008 and now casts a wide net with coverage across all sports. Douglas spent more than a decade with The Big Lead and previously wrote for Uproxx and The Sporting News. He has three children, two degrees and one now unverified Twitter account.

Home/MLB