“Just have fun, take your swing. Feel like BP. Don’t try to do too much.” Aaron Judge advises Jazz Chisholm Jr. before the Derby. But even after a good pep talk, Chisholm only hit three homers in Round 1. And now, Captain America has a post-game review of his teammate’s performance.

The Yankees’ 2B had hit 17 home runs before the All-Star break. But he couldn’t find that same power when it counted most. He was eliminated early because other players were consistently clearing 16 or more. And that made supporters at Truist Park boo loudly in dissatisfaction.

When SNY asked Aaron Judge about his teammate’s problems, he had an honest response. “It’s his first one. It’s a big moment. But I know he’s always ready for the big moment.” Judge further said, “But I know, I think he got a base hit in the game tonight, so he was just staying ready for the All-Star game. My guy’s an All-Star. He said he’s going to do it again next year if he gets 20 homers. So I think he’ll be on a revenge tour for next season.” That’s Judge for all of us, always being there for the team.

Aaron Judge mentioning the 20-homer mark wasn’t simply a guess. It came straight from Chisholm himself. Even though the result was disappointing, he was surprisingly happy about the experience.

Chisholm remarked, “I enjoyed every second. Even after I was done, my arms were hanging. I was like, ‘Oh, this is amazing.'” He would do it all again, “I told [MLB], if I got more than 20 homers by the half next year, I’d do it again.” Well, while Chisholm wants to participate next year, Judge surely doesn’t.

This naturally raised a broader question about the appeal of stars. Aaron Judge was asked why players tend to “shy away from” the Home Run Derby. To this, #99 had a humorous response. “Well, I already did it. I don’t know what else you want from me. I think it’s time for somebody else to step up and do their thing and have some fun with it… It’s tough to say [why players shy away]. I love seeing new faces in the game… Getting a chance to see Oneil Cruz go out there and have one out of the stadium – I think that was pretty special for baseball… So, I’m looking forward to something like that every year, having someone new go out there and kind of put a show on for the league.”

Well, the 2025 HR Derby had 7 debut participants among the 8 – everyone other than Matt Olson. Plus, even though Cruz was out after round 2, he put on a show that will be etched in Derby history. He launched the longest non-Coors field homer with a 513-foot blast. So, Judge might have a point – new faces and fresh showdown – that’s what we expect from the Derby.

Aaron Judge’s Derby numbers back up his point of view. He put on an amazing show in Miami in 2017 during his rookie season, hitting 47 home runs. But it’s not like he has completely shut off the event. “Only if I’m talking about it here [in New York],” Judge would play!

Now, coming to this year’s MLB All-Star game, it won’t be wrong to say the game was a mini Home Run Derby in itself.

Derby‑style tiebreaker steals the show at 2025 All‑Star Game

Star players may not participate consecutively in the Derby. But Atlanta had its own mini-Derby today at Truist Park to pick the All-Star Game. The game ended in a thrilling 6–6 draw after nine innings.

Usually, a tie-breaker means a standard three-inning tie-breaker when the team with the most runs wins. But from 2022, MLB replaced that traditional extra-inning format. Each manager chooses 3 players for a home run contest. Each of them takes three swings, and the team with the most home runs wins the game. That’s what happened…

Brent Rooker, Randy Arozarena, and Jonathan Aranda, all from the American League, hit three home runs. In contrast, Kyle Stowers and Kyle Schwarber from the National League hit four home runs. Schwarber won the swing-off for his team after going 3-for-3. And so, Pete Alonso, the 2x HR Derby champ, didn’t have to come to the plate.

So, in this mini-derby in the All-Star Game, the NL beat the AL 4–3 in home runs. This first-ever Home Run Derby swing-off in an All-Star Game received immense excitement from fans, some even asking for the extra-inning format to be removed altogether.

Both leagues sent their greatest hitters to the plate. The AL fell short, but fans didn’t lose out—they got to see high-stakes swings, electrifying applause, and a new, exciting ending to the Midsummer Classic.