PHILADELPHIA – Jordan Walker wore his Cardinals hat backward, chewed a big wad of bubble gum, and wore the top of his jersey splayed open as he prepared for his final Home Run Derby swing. The 24-year-old outfielder exuded an aura of cool as he took the stage, representing the St. Louis Cardinals against a fierce Philadelphia crowd.
Walker chased down Kyle Schwarber, ultimately besting him in a dramatic final round that captivated the audience and silenced the booing fans, thus introducing himself to a much wider baseball world. With just six swings, Walker hit six homers, making history as the first St. Louis Cardinal to clinch the Home Run Derby title on that memorable Monday night.
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Schwarber had set the bar high with 11 homers during his 15-swing turn in the final round. However, as Walker’s final shot soared over the left field wall, the once-raucous crowd of Phillies fans quietly began to exit, acknowledging the impressive feat. “I was once told you don’t boo nobodies,” Walker remarked, clearly relishing the moment.
Wearing the Derby champions’ chain and a leather jacket, Walker reflected on his performance while still donning his batting gloves. “My thought was Philly is brutal,” he said. “But I think it’s pretty special because they love their players.” He acknowledged the electric atmosphere and the support for Schwarber and Bryce Harper, noting that he understood the home crowd’s passion.
Walker, a first-time All-Star, has enjoyed a breakout season, already surpassing his previous two-year total of 11 homers with a career-high of 22 this year. His six final swings in Philadelphia will forever be etched in Derby history, showcasing his prowess as a hitter.
Celebrating with his family immediately after the victory, Walker reminisced about his early days of hitting home runs, a journey that began at just six years old. “When things got tough, they were always there in my corner,” he expressed. “They kept the energy levels high.”
He completed his childhood dream in spectacular fashion, hitting his seventh homer with two swings left and his eighth on the next swing, which prompted bonus swings. Needing four straight homers to clinch the win, Walker hit one off the top of the center field fence, reaching 10 homers as the Philly fans booed furiously. He ultimately finished strong, celebrating as fireworks lit up the night sky.
“You can’t say enough about how he was able to kind of slow the moment down, too, and lock it in,” commented Schwarber, who finished as the runner-up for the second time. The revamped Derby format, returning to a swing format without a timed clock, delivered an exciting and suspenseful evening.
The new rules allowed hitters more time to track their home runs, while the Philadelphia crowd took the opportunity to unleash their boos at players like Walker and Contreras. Each player had 20 swings in the first round, with the top four advancing to subsequent rounds, where each hitter continued swinging until they missed.
The Derby also featured notable participants like Boston’s Willson Contreras, Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero, New York’s Ben Rice, Kansas City’s Jac Caglianone, and Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami.
Phillies fans were hopeful that Schwarber and Harper would reach the finals, hoping to crown the franchise’s third Derby champion. Harper, however, was eliminated in the first round, while Schwarber, who had previously made it to the finals in 2018, watched as the crowd cheered loudly for their home team.
The atmosphere was electric, with Harper encouraging the crowd to cheer louder as he took the platform, showcasing his showmanship. Even ball-shagging kids in the outfield faced jeers from the audience.
In a historical context, this was the first Home Run Derby and All-Star Game held at Citizens Bank Park since its opening in 2004, and the first Derby in Philadelphia since 1996. The event, sold out and streamed on Netflix for the first time, drew significant attention and excitement from fans.
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