St. Louis Cardinals OF Jordan Walker had to overcome two things on Monday to become Home Run Derby champion. Phillies slugger and MLB home run leader, Kyle Schwarber, and a Citizen Bank Ballpark crowd, who were rooting for their hometown hero.
However, Walker would hit 12 home runs, including six straight in the final round, to become the first Cardinals player in team history to win the Home Run Derby.
After the win, Walker discussed what he felt after he hit the winning home run.
“Honestly, I hit it, and I was just — honestly, I was hoping it would get out,” Walker said. “I didn’t know if I got it well enough. As I saw it, carrying a little bit, I was getting excited. When it cleared the bleachers, that’s when I kind of blacked out and just celebrated with my teammates.”
After Schwarber hit 11 home runs in the final round, many thought he would capture his first-ever Home Run Derby crown, but Walker battled, and he discussed the mindset he had on his six straight home runs to end the contest.
“Honestly, the pressure, people booing me,” he said. “My one thought was to stay fluid. Can’t swing too hard, I’ll miss the ball. And that was it.”
According to Walker, a first-time All-Star, he loved hitting home runs as a kid, which made the Home Run Derby even more exciting.
“I can’t even describe how it means to win it,” he said. “It was a lot of swings, a lot of pressure, but I think I just had fun no matter what. Like, every round I was having a good time, you know? As a kid when I grew up, my favorite thing to do playing baseball was to hit home runs. When a competition is dedicated to doing it, I’m going to have fun doing it.”
The 24-year-old Walker is enjoying a breakout season with the Cardinals. He has already set career highs with 22 home runs and an MLB-leading 74 RBIs. Now, he can add another accomplishment to his resume: 2026 Home Run Derby champion.
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