First, NFL-punter-turned-podcaster Pat McAfee and producer Ty Schmit handled the introductions for the Home Run Derby participants, to the dismay of fans, many of whom felt McAfee's amped-up emceeing was loud and unnecessary.

MLB Home Run Derby stood as one of the marquee sporting events of July, but somebody apparently forgot to tell the ESPN broadcast planners. The team's presentation of Monday dinger derby at the Atlanta Braves' Truist Park drew widespread jeers on social media from fans who hated the way the broadcast was laid out and how the cameras were positioned.

MLB's biggest fireworks show of the summer takes place a little more than a week after July 4. The 2025 T-Mobile Home Run Derby is tonight. Eight of the best sluggers in baseball will be swinging for the fences inside Truist Park in Atlanta.

Baseball fans on social media could unite over one thing Monday night: ESPN’s coverage of MLB Home Run Derby was dizzying, confusing and tough to watch.

But that wasn't the only issue. The coverage was a turn-off from the start when ESPN used Pat McAfee to do player introductions despite him having no apparent connection to baseball or the host city, Atlanta. The network used the Derby as another venue to force its high-cost former punter personality down our throats. And bruh, who asked for this?

There's been a long-running theory that Derby participants tend to suffer power outages in the second-half. The facts don't seem to bear this myth out.

Oneil Cruz enters the Derby with just 16 home runs on the season, but possesses the best raw power in all of baseball with the fastest bat speed and exit velocities that regular stretch towards 120 mph. He could take over this competition if he finds a groove.