Watch: A's DH emotional after learning he's an All-Star
Brent Rooker is not a household name.
Rooker doesn't play for a good team or in a major market. He's not a heralded prospect, and before 2023 he'd only ever played in 81 MLB games . Rooker joined the Oakland Athletics this offseason on a one-year, $750,000 contract with no promise of a spot on the A's Opening Day roster.
Yet Rooker is officially an All-Star, selected by his fellow players to represent Oakland in the Midsummer Classic later this month in Seattle.
"Just to be completely transparent, I never allowed myself to think I'd make an All-Star team," the 28-year-old told NBC Sports California. "It's more than I expected of myself, which is a cool feeling."
Rooker's accomplishment is an example of the beauty of sports.
Despite strong offensive numbers in his minor league career, limited big league opportunities begot limited success and in 2022 and he bounced around three organizations before signing with the A's. But with a chance for consistent at-bats, Rooker has ascended from anonymous journeyman to one of the few bright spots on a terrible team and has earned a chance to showcase his skills with the best players in the game.
"In my small spurts in the big leagues I've struggled to wonder if I belong or not," Rooker told his team after manager Mark Kotsay announced Rooker's All-Star selection. "I just appreciate the constant support from the older guys to help me know I belong here and I can produce."
So far this season Rooker leads Oakland with 14 home runs and 41 RBIs and owns the distinction of being the first batter to take American League MVP favorite Shohei Ohtani deep this year.
Rooker said he plans to (gently) remind Ohtani when they meet in Seattle.
"There's a really cool picture of me hitting a homer off Shohei. I'm going to approach him very humbly and ask him to sign it. That's something I'd love to have forever," Rooker said, before sharing his opinion on the G.O.A.T debate.
"If there's anyone doubting he's the best baseball player of all time, I don't really know why. He could be the front page story every day and not be talked about enough."
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