Home Run Derby drama: Brent Rooker loses tiebreaker by under an inch, Cal Raleigh sneaks into next round

In a razor-thin decision, Oakland Athletics slugger Brent Rooker was eliminated from the 2025 Home Run Derby on Monday night by less than an inch. Despite a powerful performance that saw him crush 17 home runs in the opening round, Rooker missed out on the semifinals due to an obscure tiebreaker rule that left even broadcasters baffled in the moment.

Brent Rooker falls in Home Run Derby by less than an inch in wild first-round tiebreaker twist

The confusion began when Rooker tied Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who also belted 17 homers in his first-round appearance. With the two tied for the fourth and final slot to advance, many expected a swing-off—a fan-favorite showdown that usually delivers heightened drama. But that didn't happen.Instead, the tiebreaker came down to the distance of each player’s longest home run. Both Rooker and Raleigh were initially credited with a max distance of 471 feet.

ESPN’s broadcast scrambled to make sense of the process, floating possibilities from a swing-off to a coin toss. Viewers were left in the dark until Statcast stepped in with precise measurements that ultimately determined the outcome.

As it turned out, Raleigh’s longest homer traveled exactly 470.61 feet, while Rooker's came in at 470.53 feet—a difference of just 0.08 feet, or roughly 0.96 inches. That minuscule margin was enough to end Rooker's run in the Derby.

The decision underscored just how fine the margins can be in baseball—even in an exhibition like the Home Run Derby. As many longtime fans say, baseball is a game of inches. On Monday night, it lived up to that reputation in the most literal way.

Despite the heartbreak, Rooker’s performance earned him plenty of praise. Not only did he put on a strong showing under pressure, but he’ll also return to the spotlight during the MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta, marking his second career appearance at the midsummer classic.

He joins an elite group of Mississippi State alumni—only seven have earned multiple All-Star selections.Meanwhile, Raleigh’s advancement set him up for a second-round showdown with Oneil Cruz, who put on a show of his own with a jaw-dropping 513-foot blast—tying the Derby record. From that point on, the bracket moved forward without controversy, but Rooker’s elimination lingered as one of the night’s most talked-about moments.There’s no doubt that Rooker made his mark, even if his journey was cut short. Being edged out by less than an inch may sting for now, but it also adds another unforgettable chapter to the Home Run Derby’s growing lore.Also Read: Shohei Ohtani finally opens up on married life with Mamiko Tanaka and fatherhood after viral Dodgers moment