Elephant Rumblings: Rooker, Wilson rep A’s with class at All-Star Game

MLB news roundup

Happy Wednesday, Athletics Nation!

Brent Rooker was not only arguably the AL MVP in yesterday’s All-Star Game, he was the classiest act, to boot.

Rooker got short shrift in Monday’s Home Run Derby, eliminated on the fly for dubious cause in favor of eventual Derby winner Cal Raleigh, but the A’s slugging two-time All-Star took it in stride with no sour grapes whatsoever.

Winning the Home Run Derby is pretty cool, but not as cool as getting your AL teammates back in the game with a three-run homer, which is exactly what Brent did in the seventh off the Giants’ Randy Rodriguez. The AL was down 6-0 when Rooker came in to pinch hit for Ryan O’Hearn, but that deficit was cleft in twain with one swing.

The game was tied after nine and came down to a “swing-off” in which two of the AL’s three home runs were hit by guess who?

Bobby Witt, who tapped in at shortstop for starter Jacob Wilson, followed up Rooker with a productive out to bring the AL within two—that’s more than Jacob was able to do at the plate in his first All-Star appearance. But the A’s rookie nevertheless repped his team with distinction during an in-play interview with his father and former MLB shortstop Jack Wilson.

Young Jacob looks very comfortable in the interview. Both he and Rooker seem well spoken and media savvy. It’s definitely nice when your favorite team’s players don’t act like meatheads in the spotlight.

And of course, we must recognize that both A’s All-Stars made history this week: Wilson is just the second rookie shortstop to start an All-Star Game—and the first since 1960, while Rook’s homer was the first by an Athletic in a Midsummer Classic since Terry Steinbach did it over 35 years ago.

Congratulations to the A’s 2025 All-Stars! Rook and J Willy represented with distinction.

A’s Coverage

• National League takes the ASG in ‘Swing-off’
• Jacob Wilson, dad Jack soak in A’s rookie’s first All-Star Game — with an assist from Smoltz
• Brent Rooker’s Controversial Home Run Derby Exit Hits Different After Manfred Comment
• After a tumultuous A’s exit, would MLB consider expansion in the Bay Area? ($)
• Three Standout Players From Day 2 of the A’s 2025 Draft
• A’s Jacob Wilson Compared to New York Yankees Legend

MLB News & Interest:

• Manfred: Longer Break In 2028 For All-Star Game And Olympics Is Possible
• Rob Manfred confident Twins sale will be completed: ‘There will be a transaction’ ($)
• Ken Griffey Jr. recounts Ichiro’s ASG inside-the-park homer: ‘It ain’t my fault, coach’ ($)
• MLB’s Home Run Derby showcases the once-viral torpedo bats — but has their moment passed? ($)
• Rays To Play Home Games At Steinbrenner Field Throughout Playoffs
• Mets, Yankees Among Teams To Show Recent Interest In David Robertson
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Lookin’ sharp.

Wilson also successfully challenged a strike call.

Clark puts on the Captain Obvious helmet.