Following the legalization of sports betting, athletes have faced a flood of direct messages on social media, particularly from users who feel let down by players’ performances in games.
Typically, these athletes choose to ignore the comments of fans, but Brent Rooker of the Oakland Athletics took the opportunity to humorously respond to a fan who blamed him for failing to hit a home run that would have won a $21,000 parlay.
The bettor messaged Rooker on Instagram, claiming he “sold” the parlay, and Rooker delivered a clever retort.
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Brent Rooker, #25 of the Oakland Athletics, sprints around the bases after hitting a home run against pitcher Kenny Rosenberg, #78 of the Los Angeles Angels, during the first inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 25, 2024. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
“My friend, words can’t express how little I care,” Rooker shot back.
It’s unclear whether the bettor responded, but after such a comeback from the young slugger, it would be difficult for them to retort.
That wasn’t all from Rooker.
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He later took to X to share that he regularly receives much harsher messages in his direct messages, as do his teammates. When he saw this message, he felt it was an opportunity to engage.
Brent Rooker, #25 of the Oakland Athletics, hits a two-run home run in the sixth inning during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 26, 2024. (Gene Wang/Getty Images)
“We receive far worse messages regularly, so it’s nice to engage with a more lighthearted one every now and then,” Rooker posted on X. “If fans are free to say whatever they wish to us, we should be able to respond once in a while. It’s all good fun!”
Rooker may have disappointed this particular bettor, but he has been a standout player for an otherwise struggling A’s team this season.
The 29-year-old has blasted 25 home runs, driven in 75 runs, and posted a .296/.370/.587 batting line through Monday.
Brent Rooker, #25 of the Oakland Athletics, receives congratulations in the dugout after scoring a run in the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 28, 2024. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
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Despite Rooker’s impressive stats on an A’s team that is far from contention at 44-64, it seems the team is hesitant to trade him ahead of the July 30 MLB deadline.
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