CLEVELAND -- An impactful week for Brent Rooker continued as the Athletics returned to action following the All-Star break.
Rooker belted his 100th career home run with a solo shot in the fifth inning off Slade Cecconi, then had an RBI triple in the ninth Friday as the A’s dropped an 8-6 decision to the Guardians at Progressive Field.
It was Rooker’s 21st homer of the season -- tops among American League designated hitters -- and the 90th time he has gone deep in three seasons since being claimed off waivers from the Royals on Nov. 17, 2022.
“It’s cool because it took a lot of hard work to get here,” Rooker said while standing in front of a new locker nameplate listing his milestone. “Getting to 100 took a lot longer than I thought it would, so I’m proud of the accomplishment. It’s a good feeling.”
The 30-year-old Rooker was one of the breakout performers during the All-Star festivities in Atlanta, when he competed in the Home Run Derby and Midsummer Classic on back-to-back evenings.
Rooker cleared the fence at Truist Park 17 times in the Derby on Monday, but he lost a tiebreaker to Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh for the final spot in the championship round when his longest home run was ruled to be 0.96 inches shorter than Raleigh’s top mark.
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Rooker carried that momentum into the All-Star Game and ignited the AL’s comeback with a three-run homer off Giants reliever Randy Rodríguez in the seventh.
Rooker wasn’t done yet, though, hitting the first two home runs in the initial swing-off in MLB All-Star Game history that ultimately saw the National League prevail.
“Any time you compete in a Home Run Derby, your name is going to be out there, and that’s what everyone expects from you in the future,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said.
“It’s pretty special that Brent was able to continue it in the All-Star Game and do it again tonight.”
One could argue that Rooker has become an overnight celebrity in his sixth big league season because of his power surge, but he doesn’t see it that way.
The two-time Twins Draft pick – he signed as the 35th overall pick in 2017 after Minnesota also selected him in the 38th round in '16 – earned his first All-Star selection in ‘23 with the Athletics and had career highs of 39 homers and 112 RBIs last year, which he noted in the clubhouse.
Rooker will get no argument from Kotsay, who took over as manager three years ago and credits Rooker for helping set the tone for the Athletics’ younger players.
“For Brent, since we started this journey in ’23 together, he’s been exactly what you would hope for,” Kotsay said. “I appreciate what he’s continued to do for us.”
Rooker also owns the best average among AL designated hitters at .281 and has 56 RBIs, fueled by his current 49-game surge. He is batting .332 with 11 homers, 33 RBIs and a 1.028 OPS since May 22.
Rookie shortstop Jacob Wilson and rookie first baseman Nick Kurtz have followed Rooker’s example, as have emerging outfielders Tyler Soderstrom and Lawrence Butler. The Athletics have gone 18-18 since dropping 20 of 21 games from May 14-June 4.
“I’m excited about the way I’m playing, but I’m really enjoying being part of building this team and the process of getting there,” Rooker said. “We hit the ball hard all the time, and I’m proud of our guys and the way they keep fighting.”