Oakland A's slugger Brent Rooker Sep 26, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Oakland Athletics designated hitter Brent Rooker (25) looks on after striking out in the fourth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
By Reice Shipley on

Oakland Athletics star Brent Rooker was one of the few bright spots of the team last season, hitting a team-high 30 home runs in his first season as a full-time starter. Given his talent as a power hitter, he was asked by a college student on social media how to prepare for a student Home Run Derby.

Brooks Bryant, a Mississippi State student, reached out to Rooker on Tuesday ahead of a student Home Run Derby, asking him how to hit a home run.

“How do I hit a home run,?” wrote Bryant on Twitter/X.

Surprisingly, Rooker responded to Bryant’s question, hilariously telling him to “close his eyes and swing hard”.

“I just close my eyes and swing as hard as I can and sometimes it works,”

This funny response from Rooker garnered a response from MLB’s social media page, saying that this strategy worked 30 times last season.

Rooker later cleared the air, saying that he doesn’t actually close his eyes when he swings, even if it may seem like that at times.

“Guys I don’t actually do this although I realize that sometimes it probably looks like I do.”

Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like Rooker’s advice to Bryant ended up working out. Bryant posted a video showing him striking out with some sad music in the background.

I guess it goes to show that there is a reason that the professionals like Rooker are indeed professionals…

[Brent Rooker on Twitter/X]

About Reice Shipley

Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.

View all posts by Reice Shipley