The New York Yankees typically struggle to escape any neutral-site showcase game without a scalding cascade of boos. In Philadelphia, they reserve an extra level of anger for the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves for simply existing - if Mets and Braves fans are feeling a bit too full of themselves, the booing gets doubled. But, on Monday night at Citizens Bank Park, the fans of Philadelphia found something they despise more than that unholy trio combined: anyone standing in Kyle Schwarber's way of winning the Home Run Derby.
Between the first and second rounds (Schwarber narrowly advanced), the Derby transitioned into a bracket format, which pitted Willson Contreras of the Boston Red Sox against him directly. Schwarber went first, finding a mid-round rhythm that stood in contrast to his skin-of-his-teeth escape from the opening round. His total of nine looked like it wouldn't be challenged, especially when Contreras failed to be emboldened by the boos the same way he had in the opening salvo.
But then things flipped. Contreras got in a rhythm. Every pop-up was greeted with powerful cheers, but they became few and far between. It all culminated with Contreras needing three home runs in three swings - plus bonus time - to tie Schwarber and teach us all what the "tiebreaker" rules had become this year in the Derby's infinite whimsy.
With only the Magenta Ball remaining, Contreras still needed a home run to Tush Push us into overtime. Before he even got a swing off, his BP pitcher's fastball sailed too close to the sun, creating a one-of-a-kind Derby moment in this cauldron of spewing hatred. Hatred reserved for, again, anyone who wasn't Kyle Schwarber in that moment.
The Brushback is an incredible moment in history. pic.twitter.com/n6ZtjOJrp3
— Adam Weinrib (@AdamWeinrib) July 14, 2026
Kyle Schwarber's Final Round of Home Run Derby had even better Phillies energy than Willson Contreras matchup
In Schwarber's second round, he had to pause multiple times throughout his round full of half-starts to pump up the crowd and remind them they had positive energy to exude at least half the time.
In the final round, the reminder wasn't necessary; Schwarber delivered exclamation point after powerful exclamation point until his final round score looked a lot more like a potent, "11!!!!!!!!!!!"
That just left one more lamb for the slaughter: Poor, Innocent, Mid-Breakout Jordan Walker (with his parents in the building). If you thought the Philly crowd hated Contreras, they treated Walker like Santa Claus wearing a Michael Irvin jersey.
During Conteras' heel run, the boos were pointed and harsh. During Walker's, they were constant. The round's consistent baseline was the hum of a boo. Every Walker swing was a liner. The only question was whether they'd travel 448 in an instant or 278 in a Boo Cloud.
Alas, it was Walker's night to make history. He became the first Cardinal to win the Home Run Derby, edging Schwarber 12 to 11 in dramatic (traumatic?) fashion. He also became the night's only slugger to go on a Magenta Ball run, powering out his final four dingers while down to the last swing.
For this night, at least, Philly fans' intense hatred went unrewarded. But the fans went home with plenty of souvenirs.
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