St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker beat home favorite Kyle Schwarber to win the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Monday. The event was streamed exclusively on Netflix, marking the first All-Star Week event broadcast solely on an OTT platform.
Fans highlighted several issues with the streaming service and shared their genuine reactions to the historic broadcasting change on social media. The main concerns included the use of multiple camera angles, the lack of energy from sportscasters during exciting moments, and frequent disruptions to the live feed.
One of the biggest controversies during the streaming event came to light when some viewers pointed out that the broadcast displayed a graphic showing Walker as the Derby champion before his final round. At the end of the day, Walker became the first-ever Cardinal to win the coveted event and take home the million-dollar prize.
Jordan Walker Discusses the Hostile Reception in the Home Run Derby Final
After defeating home favorite Schwarber in his own park to win the event, Walker was asked about the boos he faced during the final at Citizens Bank Park. He acknowledged that Philly’s crowd is always tough but appreciated the support they showed for Schwarber and Bryce Harper.
“My thought was ‘Philly’s brutal’ obviously. …but think it’s pretty special cause they love their players, and that’s what you want from your home (crowd). Honestly, I’ve never heard people cheer so loud for Schwarber, Harper,” Walker said.
Walker’s longest home run traveled 455 feet; his hardest-hit homer came off the bat at 113 mph; and he averaged 429 feet and 107 mph in exit velocity across all his home runs in the derby final against Schwarber.
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