Home Run Derby - Brent Rooker Cheated!
 

I don't know Brent Rooker and have never been to an Athletics game, and with that said:

I witnessed one of the most stupid and self-serving events in major league baseball last night during the Home Run Derby. This is the Home Run Derby - not the longest hit ball derby! To not have a bat-off between Rooker and Raleigh is absolutely horrible.

Rooker sitting and feeding his newborn with a bottle between batters probably made Rob Manfred pounce like a lion on a zebra.

Let's see, according to MLB Raleigh's home run traveled 470.61 feet. Brent Rooker's traveled 470.53. A difference of .08 of a foot. Hummmm. So, in the home run derby, not the longest ball derby, Raleigh wins.

Also, Rooker only received 38 balls - not 40 as the other batters. He was supposed to get 2 warm up balls, but the balls were not returned to the pitcher, so he only got 38.

This competition is for $1 million dollars. This is more than most people make in the lifetime.

I've been trying to figure out why I have become an Athletics fan over the last few years and don't really know why. Maybe it's because MLB keeps on crapping on one of the most storied baseball teams in history - the Athletics!

Maybe because Brent Rooker has scratched and clawed his way into the lineup and always just keeps being professional and positive. From what I've read, he has a lot of things going against him in MLB; he is handsome, polite, religious, family man with 2 daughters (one a newborn), and seems to accept and appreciate everything that comes his way.

If anyone out there thinks what happened last night was fair, please let me know why. If anyone agrees with me that it was bullshit, let me know that also.

It was clearly biased to Cal. He is the biggest hitter in baseball. When I saw the insane .00 whatever home run difference is what let him move on I just knew in the back of my mind he would win the whole thing.

Should've been a swing off of some kind.

I really couldn’t care less about the so-called Home Run Derby.

Give me a break if two balls hit the same sign before leaving the stadium. If the arc of the balls is different and if the speed of the balls is different, even if the two balls hit the sign in the exact same spot on the sign, you’re telling me which one is going to go one inch further.

I think it depends on which hitter had “the breakfast of champions” that morning. Prove me wrong.

And the all-star game is no better. With the commingled schedule who really cares who wins, the players?. I doubt it.

If you are a fan of one club in either league, go ahead and watch your player get one or two at bats and your pitcher pitch one inning. I won’t complain if you win and gloat, but don’t expect me to watch a meaningless exhibition.

And don’t ask me what I really think.

Yet another reason I don't watch today's all about nothing but incomprehensible amounts of money version of MLB.

I was surprised they didn't have a swing-off in case of a tie. Apparently that was going to happen in the last 2 rounds. As for the number of balls he got, they got 40 or 3 minutes in the first round. There were a few other batters that ran out of time before they got all 40 balls thrown to them so I'm not sure that is a valid complaint for Rooker.

I'm also not sure what you're complaining about regarding the A's and MLB. From what I've read, the A's owner is responsible for the position they're currently in - playing in a AAA stadium for at least the next 3 years with maybe a stadium being built in Las Vegas for them to move to. I'm pretty sure MLB didn't put them in that situation and can't be happy that they are in it.

Did Rooker run out of balls or time? I seem to remember that time ran out on him......but I was only watching passively.
Either way, a swing off would have been better. Give the fans more of what they want.
Bob

Rooker was told he had 2 practice balls that didn't count toward the 40. He used the 2 balls, but replacements were not provided. He had approximately 5 seconds left, ran out of balls, and only had 38 thrown to him for the competition.

Valid points regarding who did what to whom. Whether it's MLB, the owner, fans, whomever - the Athletics have had a tough time the last couple of years and maybe a couple more ahead. Then off to Vegas - I wish them well.

I actually feel sorry for the Athletic fans more than anyone. I live in San Diego and have always cheered for the Chargers (until they moved to LA) and the Padres. I also own a 1974 Topps Washington Padres card just to remind me how close it was they almost left. I know what it's like having a small market team trying to compete. If you're a Yankees fan or a Dodgers fan - that's great.

Oakland has lost the Raiders and now has lost the Athletics. Can they cheer for the Giants and 49ers? Of course. Do they want to - absolutely not.

Is it about the money for the Athletics? Absolutely. Is having a 25% chance to win a million dollars lost because one competed on an uneven playing field? Absolutely.

Thanks for the observations and comments.

I just rewatched the Rooker bats. There were only 3 seconds left when the pitcher reached in for another ball. That would have been time for only one more pitch. No telling what would have happened if he would have homered or not. But a swing off would have been the best way to decide.
I have also become an A's fan. Watch out for them next year.

Bob

Thanks Bob, and you're right on both counts.

The game is over and really was different from a regular season game, but it's just an exhibition and a chance to honor players; past, present and future.

Again, I was happy for Rooker and he performed well. He definitely got the AL kick started with the 3 run blast.

I'm actually looking forward to the second half to see how they gel and come together. They've definitely got a lot of talent.