One of the most dramatic finishes in Home Run Derby history unfolded Monday night at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia — and it was a Cardinal who stole the show from the Philadelphia faithful.
St. Louis outfielder Jordan Walker is your twenty-twenty-six T-Mobile Home Run Derby champion — becoming the first Cardinal ever to win the event — after a stunning come-from-behind victory over hometown hero Kyle Schwarber in the final round.
Walker was in serious trouble. Down three home runs to Schwarber with just one swing remaining, he needed four consecutive homers to win — and that’s exactly what he delivered. The Philadelphia crowd that had been booing him all night was silenced.
The semifinals were just as electric. Willson Contreras of Boston led the field with thirteen home runs in Round One — edging Walker on distance tiebreaker. Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero launched the night’s longest blast at four-hundred-ninety-one feet before being eliminated by Walker in the semis. Bryce Harper and Ben Rice were both bounced in the first round.
Walker takes home one million dollars — a pretty nice bonus on top of his $799,000 Cardinals salary.
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