Athletics' Brent Rooker Responds To Espn Star's List Of Preferred Swing-off Participants

Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker's week kicked disconnected successful Atlanta, nan big metropolis for nan 2025 MLB All-Star game. 

On Monday, Rooker participated successful nan yearly Home Run Derby. The adjacent day, Rooker was 1 of nan 3 players American League head Aaron Boone selected to compete successful nan All-Star game's first-ever swing-off.

Rooker went 2-for-3 successful nan historical Home Run Derby-style tiebreaker. However, Philadelphia Phillies prima Kyle Schwarber scored 3 points successful nan swing-off to thief nan National League triumph nan thriller.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

National League designated hitter Brent Rooker (25) of nan Athletics successful nan location tally swing-off tiebreaker during nan 2025 MLB All Star Game astatine Truist Park successful Cumberland, Ga., July 15, 2025. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)

Several notable power-hitting All-Stars were noticeably absent from nan unprecedented swing-off. The AL lineup was represented by Rooker, Jonathan Aranda and Randy Arozarena. Schwarber, Pete Alonso and Kyle Stowers stepped up to nan sheet for nan NL

2025 MIDSEASON MLB AWARDS: FOX SPORTS FANS PICK MVPS, ROOKIES, CY YOUNG WINNERS

The database of names near immoderate observers puzzled, which sparked immoderate questions astir nan selections. ESPN MLB newsman Jeff Passan was among those who weighed successful connected nan subordinate action for the swing-off and offered his preferred lineup. 

Jeff Passan smiles during All-Star workout time astatine Truist Park July 14, 2025, successful Atlanta.  (Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images)

"What could person been: Aaron Judge, Cal Raleigh, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. vs. Shohei Ohtani, Pete Alonso, Kyle Schwarber," Passan wrote connected X.

Rooker offered a rebuttal aft he took announcement of nan suggested database of players. 

"Am I not bully capable for you Jeff," Rooker jokingly wrote successful a consequence posted to X.

Rooker later made it clear he had thing against nan ESPN star. 

"(Guys I for illustration Jeff I’m not really huffy I would prime Aaron, Cal and Vladdy complete maine too)," nan two-time All-Star wrote successful a consequent post.

The Athletics' Brent Rooker runs aft hitting an RBI double during nan 3rd inning against nan Toronto Blue Jays July 12, 2025, successful West Sacramento, Calif.  (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Boone addressed concerns complete his subordinate action for nan swing-off, saying each head was required to taxable 3 names nan time earlier nan game. He added that his determination was based connected nan thought Judge would not beryllium successful nan crippled successful nan precocious innings.

"We had to prime our guys yesterday," Boone told reporters. "Wanted to make judge I picked guys I knew would beryllium successful nan crippled location and still hot. That was my choice."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

This isn't nan first clip Rooker has responded connected societal media aft his sanction was mentioned successful thing related to this year's All-Star festivities. The Athletics slugger took purpose astatine a instrumentality who criticized him for giving his kid a vessel during Monday's Home Run Derby.

ESPN's cameras showed Rooker feeding his 11-month-old girl a vessel while sitting adjacent nan dugout. 

"Hey Rooker… did you really request to provender your babe connected camera? Sometimes group conscionable want to spot you play," a spectator wrote connected X.

Rooker responded, writing, "Yes, it was basal to provender my 11-month-old kid her nighttime vessel astatine for illustration 9:00 pm. Thank you for asking." 

Fox News' Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X, and subscribe to nan Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.