Philadelphia Phillies: Kyle Schwarber upset by Albert Pujols in first round of Home Run Derby
As the Philadelphia Phillies enjoy the All-Star break, Kyle Schwarber was hard at work competing in Major League Baseball’s 2022 Home Run Derby. Entering the day with the second most homers in the major league. His performance in the derby did not reflect that, though, as Schwarber fell a little more than flat, losing in a swing-off against Albert Pujols in the first round.
The no doubt future Hall of Famer Pujols got off to a very slow start hitting only 13 home runs in the initial portion of the first round. That disappointing number was matched but surprisingly not exceeded by the hard-hitting Schwarber. With the tie securely in place, Pujols and Schwarber were set for a 60-second swing-off.
During that excruciating minute, Albert Pujols unloaded on the ball, launching 7 home runs, a stark turnaround from his listless first attempt. Almost as if the legendary Cardinal put every ounce of his strength into this swing-off performance, Pujols was not messing around in the overtime period. Schwarber would approach the plate needing to at least match 7 homers to keep hope alive. The Phillies’ power hitter would struggle once again early on, and though he caught fire towards the end of his 60 seconds, he ultimately fell short.
Despite entering as the overwhelming favorite, Philadelphia Phillies’ masher Kyle Schwarber fell to Albert Pujols in the first round of the Home Run Derby.
Obviously, the Home Run Derby is an event purely for enjoyment. While Schwarber’s loss is disappointing for Phillies fans (especially those who wagered on him), the storyline of Pujols not just making it to the second round but doing so by winning a swing-off is undoubtedly thrilling.
Pujols is obviously in the twilight of his career, and to celebrate one of the greatest hitters in baseball, the league invited him to the derby, a move that was criticized by many. For Pujols to not only hit competitively in the first round but to win is a beautiful performance for what is his final Home Run Derby.
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Kyle Schwarber will have more opportunities in his future if he wants them but tonight was about a legend who just out-swung the young buck. Was it expected? Certainly not, but most surprises aren’t.