Some swings make headlines; others spark debates that outlast the final score. When a baseball classic turns into a spectacle, everyone suddenly becomes a roster expert. Brent Rooker didn’t need a nameplate as big as Aaron Judge’s or Cal Raleigh’s to make an impact—he just needed three pitches and a bat. And when ESPN’s Jeff Passan opened his mouth, Rooker decided it was time to swing again—this time, online.
The 2025 All-Star game is over, but the feeling of it going to the swing off is still here. This was an All-Star Game in a long time, and nobody can say otherwise. But when we say All-Star Game, people expect the big names to step up and take charge, but that was not the case this time. Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, and Cal Raleigh were all missing, and Passan was not happy with this.
The MLB Insider posted on X saying that Brent Rooker, Jonathan Aranda, Randy Arozarena vs. Pete Alonso, Kyle Schwarber, Kyle Stowers could have been Aaron Judge, Cal Raleigh, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. vs. Shohei Ohtani, Pete Alonso, Kyle Schwarber. This did not sit well with Rooker, and he posted, “Am I not good enough for you, Jeff?”
Were the best players there? No, but it was not up to the players, was it? It was up to the managers, and looking at the season Rooker is having, it was not a bad decision at that time.
The Athletics’ left fielder played hero when it mattered most, igniting the American League’s electric comeback. His towering three-run homer in the seventh inning cut the National League’s six-run lead in half. That swing alone etched his name alongside A’s legends like Reggie Jackson and Jimmie Foxx. It was the spark that turned a lopsided affair into a historic showdown in Atlanta.
Am I not good enough for you Jeff https://t.co/IRcQWLMbda
— Brent Rooker (@Brent_Rooker25) July 16, 2025
When the All-Star Game’s first-ever swing-off was triggered, Rooker’s moment grew even more meaningful. He crushed two homers—measuring 435 and 459 feet—setting the tone for the AL’s tiebreak. Though Kyle Schwarber’s perfect round stole the win, Rooker’s presence kept fans breathless. Doing back-to-back derbies, he showed poise, power, and heart under the brightest lights imaginable.
Beyond All-Star glory, Rooker is simply having the best season of his professional life. With 20 homers, 54 RBIs, and a .279 average, he’s carrying Oakland’s offense proudly. His .861 OPS and 137 OPS+ reflect a hitter producing well above league norms. Picking him wasn’t risky—it was a reward for months of elite, undeniable consistency.
So, was Rooker supposed to apologize for showing up when the stars didn’t? He didn’t just fill a roster spot—he filled the stadium with electricity and sent the game into history.
Let’s call it what it is: the All-Star Game didn’t need the biggest names—it needed the right ones. Rooker delivered when others opted out, and no tweet can rewrite that reality. Next time, maybe Passan should swing a bat before swinging opinions.
Brent Rooker criticized for taking care of his baby
First, Rooker wasn’t an All-Star enough. Then he was too much of a dad. Somewhere between launching moonshots and changing diapers, the man became a lightning rod for absurdity. If his swing-off heroics weren’t enough to quiet critics like Jeff Passan, apparently feeding his child was the real scandal. Baseball loves its unwritten rules—just don’t ask where parenting fits in the box score.
During the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby, Rooker shared a quiet, tender moment with family. While sidelined, he was seen bottle-feeding his 11-month-old daughter, Blake Eloise, under stadium lights and camera flashes. A social media user questioned the scene, asking, “Hey Rooker… did you really need to feed your baby on camera?” What looked like a father’s gentle care suddenly spiraled into an unexpected online controversy during baseball’s biggest showcase.
FILE – Oakland Athletics designated hitter Brent Rooker rounds the bases after hitting a home run during a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Aug. 30, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
Rooker didn’t stay silent and responded with calm clarity that won hearts across the internet. He wrote, “Yes, it was necessary to feed my 11 month old child her nighttime bottle at like 9:00 pm.” Fans applauded his sincerity, praising him for balancing fatherhood with a spotlight moment. A Yahoo Sports photo of Rooker cradling Blake made the rounds, symbolizing real parenting beyond the scoreboard.
If baseball has room for bat flips and beanballs, surely it can handle a bedtime bottle. Between outdated traditions and online tantrums, Brent Rooker reminded us that being an athlete doesn’t mean pausing parenthood. Critics may dissect his swing, but questioning a father’s love is a whole different strike zone. In a game obsessed with stats, maybe Rooker just added a new one—OPS: Outstanding Parenting Style.
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