A BASEBALL star took issue with a little-known rule that got him bounced from the MLB Home Run Derby.
Athletics star Brent Rooker was knocked out of the first round of the competition at Truist Park in Atlanta on Monday night.
Athletics star Brent Rooker competes during the Home Run Derby at Truist Park on Monday night in Atlanta, Georgia[/caption]
Rooker[/caption]
Rooker was one of eight participants in the event.
During the first round, each of the eight participants had three minutes or 40 pitches (whichever came first) to hit as many home runs as possible.
Each player was also given a bonus period where they could attempt to hit more homers before recording the three outs.
Rooker hit the same number of home runs as Raleigh, but Rooker’s furthest homer (470.53) was .08 feet further than Rooker’s (470.61).
The A’s outfielder expressed his grievance that he wasn’t told about the importance of the distance down to the decimal point until afterwards.
“You know, maybe if they have it to the decimal point, they should display that during the Dery and not wait til everyone’s done to bring out that information that might be helpful,” Rooker told reporters.
The scoreboard only showed the rounded number for distance on the home runs.
However, the MLB used the non-rounded numbers for the official measurement.
Rooker also said that he only got 38 pitches instead of 40 because he was told he could take two pitches, but didn’t know there were only 40 balls for him to hit.
“I took two pitches that didn’t count, but when we went to do the round, there was only 38 remaining, so we got down to have two pitches with five seconds left and they’re out of baseballs,” Rooker said.
Still, Rooker said the experience was a “great time” and gave his kudos to Raleigh, who ended up winning the Home Run Derby.
“Cal’s a great competitor. He put on a good performance too,” Rookier said.
“Rules are the rules in terms of what makes up the semifinals.”
Raleigh beat Tampa Bay Rays star Junior Caminero in the final, 18-15.
Seattle Mariners star catcher Cal Raleigh won the Home Run Derby[/caption]
The switch-hitting catcher became the first Mariners player to win the Derby since Ken Griffey Jr. in 1989.
Raleigh’s also the first switch-hitter to win the competition outright.
The 28-year-old entered the event as the favorite as he leads the MLB in home runs (38).
